The Friendship Circle
HISTORY
The Sharon Friendship Circle was founded in 2008 by an ambitious teenager. The program began with just two special needs children and three teen volunteers. Over the years, the Friendship Circle has seen consistent yet modest growth. In June, 2015 Rabbi Naftoli & Chanie Minkowitz moved to Sharon to direct the Friendship Circle. Since then, together with our teen volunteer leaders
Alexa Levitt and Larry Zmoira, and qualified staff, the Friendship Circle has more than doubled both the number of individuals with special needs and teen volunteers. In addition, we’ve greatly expanded the scope of programming offered to our participants and our engagement in the community.
MISSION
The Friendship Circle is based on the Biblical commandment “V’Ahavta L’Reacha Kamocha,” “...and you shall love your fellow as yourself.”
The Friendship Circle carries out this concept in life-changing ways by: Engaging children and teens with special needs through a variety of experiences. Enriching, inspiring and motivating teens to share their time and talents with others.
Connecting teen volunteers, children with special needs, and their families to the Jewish community through educational and social opportunities.
Directors: Rabbi Naftoli and Chanie Minkowitz
Rabbi Naftoli and Chanie are a young couple with enthusiasm, passion and experience. Naftoli has 9 years of formal and informal teaching experience with children and adults. Naftoli’s passion in community relations has brought him to travel to countries as far as Guatemala and Cambodia to meet Jews of all walks of life.
Chanie has her Masters in Special Education and is returning to Sharon to give back to the community which, in many ways, molded her into the person she is. As a couple we are excited to work together to make a difference and create an inclusive, understanding, and unified Jewish community.
