Monica Schneider-Brewer

  “The relationship between mentor and mentee is a symbiotic one.” Yvette Lucas, Manager Prevocational Arts   This wonderful exhibit is a dynamic statement about the day-to-day inner workings of the WAE Center art studios. Ranging from: one-on-one sessions between facilitator and artist, to group workshops, to small group digital collaborations the gamut in materials and structure is wide and deep and full of exploration. Ten mentors and tens of members contributed to this wonderful mélange of texture, subject and materials including: charcoal, collage, digital artwork, fiber art, music composition/album design, soft sculpture, 3-D printing, printmaking, painting, photography, AI – creations, quilting & sewing, pastel and marker drawings, watercolor, weaving and woodworking. Mentors have brought their individual work to the […]

This month is intended to remind us that ALL Jews, without regard to disability, must have access to Jewish life – to work live, love, play, learn and worship how and where they choose, and to contribute to this wonderful place we call our Greater MetroWest Jewish community.   JSDD and the WAE Center is engaged in bringing artwork, artists, and residents into a few congregations to spread the word about abilities and inclusion in Jewish life. While the notion of inclusion may sound abstract, it is in fact, a daily practice rooted in the practical.  We need only remember to look and notice the needs of those around us, which are different than ours, and act to provide equal access […]

In celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest (JFGMW) NJ, a community-wide trip to Israel is planned for July 2023. JSDD and our partner agency JESPY House will be sharing a bus as we embark on this community journey with the generous support of the Centennial Fund. We are thrilled that five men and women who reside in JSDD homes will travel to Israel with three staff members.  For most, it will be their first trip to Israel and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.  For those who travelled to Israel many years ago, it will be a visit of a lifetime with excursions tailored to their interests, while accommodations are made to address the needs […]

By: Randy Harris This is a compilation of poems and group stories from the Poetry class.  I’m extremely proud of our members for opening themselves to create such beautiful and imaginative work.  They have imagined worlds of coffee waterfalls and tap-dancing clouds.  Used the alphabet grid amid a myriad of words to spin their rhymes. What great fun and joyful times. This work is the result of a team of people –  volunteer and staff who have treated this process with dedication, passion, and joy.  Thank you, Pam, Onica, Julie, Rebeka, Erica and Olivia.  Poems My Swim I love swimming The butterfly is so thrilling When I do the backstroke, I’m swimming in clouds At the swim meet people are […]

The advisory committee of Heidi Gallery has been meeting since May of 2022. Their work has been focused on developing the first juried open exhibit held in this stunning new space.  Expanding upon the idea of displaying the artwork of artist members of JSDD’s WAE Center, the gallery’s goal is to cultivate a creative space for exhibits, education, collaboration, and performance to co-exist in a fully inclusive environment. The WAE Open welcomed over 200 people to the reception on October 20th. Committee Chair Teddi Dolph and Juror, Diedre Harris-Kelley welcomed and addressed the crowd.  Most all of the 33 artists who were accepted into the exhibition were present to share their work with the public. True to its stated mission […]