Matan Institute participants are selected based on their commitment to increasing inclusion at their own programs, and their readiness to facilitate change within their organization. Each cohort engages in multiple in-person training days (35 hours) and on-line learning, and every participant works with a Matan mentor on specific inclusion goals for the entire length of the Institute (usually 10 months). Based at Matan’s offices in New York City or a specific geographic region, professionals from throughout North America participate. Each member of the cohort receives guides for including children with special needs in Jewish education, concrete teaching tools for reaching all students and a new network of like-minded Jewish professionals (fellow participants) with whom to engage on an ongoing basis. This is a one of a kind opportunity in the Jewish community. Topics include:

• Learning Styles and Differentiated Instruction

• Inclusion in a Jewish Context

• Communicating with Families and Family-Centered Care

• Positive Behavior Supports and Task Analysis

• Bullying

• Executive Functioning

• Change Management Theory