River Edge, NJ - Religious Special Ed Growing

River Edge, NJ - A shortage of programs and lack of funding make it difficult for parents to find appropriate religious education for children with learning disabilities.

In many cases, families who would have preferred religious school must enroll their child in public school programs instead. But religious educators are expanding their resources and finding new ways to deliver religious studies to special-education students.

A new school for special-needs Orthodox Jewish children recently opened in North Jersey -- giving some parents an alternative to an after-school program run in River Edge.
The Sinai School, an Orthodox Jewish private school for children with learning disabilities, has been a blessing for Laurie Gopin of Bergenfield.   The removal of a brain tumor when he was 18-months-old left Gopin's son, Shmuel, now 5, with some communication delays. Gopin and her husband enrolled him in a Bergenfield afternoon public school program last year because the district could address his disability. But the family was still not satisfied; they wanted him to learn about his Orthodox Jewish heritage. 
"We wanted him to be in a religious setting, especially because he loves all the religious aspects of school," said Gopin, of Bergenfield. "We felt at this time that a religious program would benefit him and make us feel more comfortable."

Tuition is $27,500 a year at Sinai School. The school also is funded through private donations. It is not eligible for state funding because it is religiously affiliated.
Sinai is the only Jewish private school in Bergen County completely dedicated to children with learning disabilities.