Bar Mitzvah Involves Shalom House Residents

December 19, 2006     

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Several residents of Shalom House, a group home for adults with developmental disabilities within the Wexner Heritage Village family of services, were included when Isaac Chipps Teich of New Albany became a bar mitzvah recently. The son of Esther Chipps and Steven Teich made visiting Shalom House South part of his preparations because his mother serves on the Shalom House board of directors.

“It is rare that a child has the maturity and personality to work with adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, but with staff supervision and the support of his parents who both work in the medical field, Isaac showed that he could handle it,” said Ruth Dodge, administrator.

Isaac and his family participated in activities with residents at Shalom House. They also took two residents on outings to dinner and to the movies.

Isaac reflected on what he had learned from the experience in his speech during the service at Temple Beth Shalom, noting one resident’s impressive computer skills and how he did not let his disability keep him from learning.

“It was a great experience,” said Isaac. “I enjoyed making these new friendships.”

When the time came for Isaac’s bar mitzvah celebration, he wanted to include some of his new friends. Dodge was able to arrange for a few of the residents to go to his party held at Heritage Park in Westerville.

“They really had a great time dancing. And the boys were so kind to our residents,” said Dodge.

Wexner Heritage Village is a not-for-profit provider of health, housing, social and spiritual services in the central Ohio community, primarily serving older adults and persons with disabilities. Its mission, guided by Jewish values and traditions, is to assist those it serves in pursuing their fullest human potential. The campus serves the entire community and includes: Wexner Heritage House, a 200-bed nursing facility, Heritage Tower and Bexley Heritage Apartments, HUD-sponsored independent living, Creekside at the Village, premier independent apartments, Victor Weinstein Shalom House and Shalom House South, two MRDD group homes, Village Shalom Apartments, Heritage at Home, and the Larry & Leonore Zusman Jewish Community Hospice.