The heart of Shabbat

As we celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month in February, a new Chicago program is sharing the joy of Shabbat withchildren and young adults with special needs. 

Libenu- a partner agency of JUF Encompass dedicated to addressing the needs of Jewish Chicagoans with disabilities- started Lev Lilah late last year, offering full Shabbat experiences in a safe, nurturing environment.

“She wanted to know if she could go back every week,” described one Chicago mother whose daughter attended a recent Lev Lilah Shabbat.

Lev Lailah- “Lev” means heart in Hebrew and “Lailah” means night- grew out of Libenu’s popular Lev Respite program, which provides after-school care to children and young adults. For some participants, Libenu’s respite programs are their greatest connection to Judaism and the Jewish community, said Dr. Shana Erenberg, CEO of Libenu. After providing much needed programming-particularly during COVID when many schools and other programs were closed- Libenu staff realized there was an unmet need in the community for a place for children and young adults to spend Shabbat.

So, the organization rented a house in Chicago’s Peterson Park neighborhood and adapted it with safety-and fun-in mind.  “We thought about each one of the children in our respite program when we were designing the house,” Erenberg said.  The result is a warm, welcoming environment full of games and toys, with a safe playground area outside.

Lev Lilah hosts two Shabbats each month, alternating for boys and girls; ages have ranged from 4 to 21. Families drop off their children one hour before candle-lighting and pick them up one hour after Havdalah.  A mix of volunteers and professional staff ensures a one-to-one ratio of care.

Shabbat at Lev Lilah has a special atmosphere: “I feel like the best word for it is ‘magical,'” said Rivka Schaffel, Director of Libenu’s Lev Respite program. 

After lighting the candles, participants sing Shabbat songs; a favorite is Lecha Dodi. They hear Kiddush and enjoy a traditional Friday night dinner of soup, chicken, salads, kugels, and other treats. The Chicago Mitzvah Campaign donates much of Lev Lilah’s Shabbat meals, while local donors supply extras like grape juice and desserts. Sometimes participants share thoughts on the weekly Torah portion. They play games, sing, and say a group Shema before getting ready for bed.

On Shabbat morning, participants can choose to visit a nearby synagogue, or take part in a Shabbat service in the house.  After lunch, there are more games, songs, and time to just hang out.

Chicago mom JoAnne Grenrock’s daughter participated in a Lev Lilah Shabbat. “She got the socialization she craves in a welcoming environment,” Grenrock said.

For parents too, the program offers a welcome respite. “It gave us a much-needed break from the caregiving we give 24 hours a day,” Grenrock said. “The two of us were able to enjoy Shabbos together in a way that we haven’t in a very long time.”  

Libenu is a partner agency of JUF Encompass, which meets the needs of people with disabilities and ensures their inclusion in the Jewish community.

Yvette Alt Miller, Ph.D. lives with her family in the northern suburbs of Chicago.