The OurSpaceLA Program
OurSpaceLA at Valley Beth Shalom is a transformative and inclusive Jewish educational program that provides meaningful, accessible, and joyful Jewish experiences for neurodivergent children and teens with a wide range of developmental, learning, and behavioral differences. With deep roots in the Los Angeles Jewish community, OurSpaceLA was founded in 1982 in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and BJE: Builders of Jewish Education. The program is proudly housed at Valley Beth Shalom, one of the leading synagogues in North America.
OurSpaceLA serves children and teens ages 3–18 and their families, regardless of synagogue affiliation, membership status, or ability to pay. Through individualized instruction, sensory-friendly learning environments, and a strong commitment to inclusion, we empower each participant to experience the richness of Jewish life at their own pace and in a way that is meaningful to them.
Programming includes weekly Jewish learning classes (Shaare Tikva), creative arts-based curriculum, individualized B’nai Mitzvah preparation, and community-based Jewish holiday celebrations. OurSpaceLA also supports parents and caregivers through monthly support groups, family education, and community-building opportunities.
We maintain low student-to-staff ratios and rely on a team of highly skilled educators, therapists, and volunteers to provide the consistency, attention, and care our students require.
OurSpaceLA is more than a program; it is a sacred commitment to inclusion, belonging, and joyful Jewish learning. We are proud to offer a spiritual home where every child is celebrated, every family is supported, and the Jewish community is made stronger through diversity.
The OurSpaceLA program has partnered with ETTA and offers programs for neurodivergent adults.
OurSpaceLA is a Valley Beth Shalom program, and synagogue membership is not required for
participation.
To enroll, please fill out the forms below or contact Rabbi Yael Aranoff, Director of OurSpaceLA Programs, at 818.530.4010.
ENROLL IN OSLA SHAARE TIKVA 2025-2026 HERE
Our Programs
Shaare Tikva
Shaare Tikva (Gates of Hope), is a weekly Hebrew School program for neurodivergent students with unique abilities. The program fosters lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community while students learn and engage in Jewish rituals, customs, and traditions. It incorporates multimodal and multisensory learning experiences through music and art. Students actively participate in prayer services, Shabbat, holiday celebrations, Tikkun Olam, and mitzvot. Our dedicated team includes special education teachers. The program also includes Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation with a team of specialists and clergy.
Time: Weekly on Sundays 9:15 am- 11:30 am
Price: $1,650
Coffee ‘N’ Chat
The programs create opportunities for parents, grandparents, and guardians to connect and build
a support network. The program aims to foster a supportive environment through monthly
support group meetings where participants can form friendships, share experiences, and establish
a safe and welcoming space for mutual support.
OurSpaceLA Partnership with ETTA
This monthly program is for adults over the age of 18 and focuses on building community and celebrating the spirit of Rosh Chodesh — a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. Activities include musical experiences through Hebrew and English songs that encourage participation through singing, movement, and simple instruments.
ETTA serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, and is one of the premier providers of such services on the West Coast.
OurSpaceLA Leadership
Rabbi Yael Aranoff
Director of OurSpaceLA
Rabbi Yael Aranoff, our incredible Assistant Rabbi, serves as the director of the OurSpaceLA program. Rabbi Aranoff brings a deep well of experience working with the neurodivergent community here in Los Angeles, and she is passionate about cultivating inclusive Jewish spaces where all learners can thrive spiritually, socially, and emotionally.
