Howard Blas has a special gift for making every learner feel valued, understood and supported. He is like a magical Hebrew-whisperer and I have seen countless times how he has taken a student who proclaims: “I can’t do it,” and gets them to the bima, smiling and confident. He has the patience and calm of a tzaddik. It is clear that this is his calling and his passion and our students can feel his investment and joy in each of them. A very special teacher!

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I have great admiration for Howard Blas who is the trailblazer in this field. Howard has spearheaded special needs camping for the National Ramah Camping Movement (a branch of the Jewish Theological Seminary – Conservative Movement) for decades. He has enabled this camping movement to set the bar in terms of excellence, caring and community development in terms of camping that is inclusive and directive for the special needs of young adults, even creating programming that enables campers and their families to have needs met (social,vocational, health etc) year round and when thinking young adulthood.
Although the Ramah Camps are limited in terms of the specific demographic they serve, it is a testament to that movement and to Howard that such deep, fine thinking has been done and continues to shape the lives of individuals, their families and communities. The well-developed and ever-responsive model is exemplary and worth learning about, even to then use it to evaluate other programs. The fact that it is also nonprofit and has enormous community support due to how life changing it is (including for ‘typical’ campers who get to know the other campers through daily shared experiences) is just spot-on!
You can speak directly with Howard about how he envisions camp for ASD participants and others with unique profiles, and also check out his blogs and articles. It will get you thinking about what to look for and how effective, fun and caring programming can be rolled out in a well considered, professional, warm  manner.

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Dear Howard,
What a journey! It has been so special to watch you and O connect, share interests, study and laugh. You’ve inspired him to learn, encouraged him to try and truly expanded both his knowledge and interest in so many things. The Bar Mitzvah itself was evidence of how meaningful Jewish study, practice and ritual has become for him and how much you have done to make it all happen.
You have become a friend, mentor, and teacher to me and to O and I looking forward to the continued growth of our relationship for years to come. Thank you for making the bar mitzvah so beautiful, spiritual, and meaningful and for making it such a special day for O and our entire family. .

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Howard I just wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your staff. J had such a amazing time with all of you and she learned so much about whoshe is, including some Hebrew love it!!! She absolutely loves Israel and can’t wait to go back. Her experiences in Israel opened her to so much of who she is. I thank you so much for that. Please keep in touch with our family. We would love to be involved in all programs that brings such great experiences to all.

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