BEINEINU NEWS & NOTES
February 21, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
WARNING—MEDICATION AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ARE A DANGEROUS COMBINATION! If you or your loved one takes ANY kind of medication or has a medical condition, do not ruin your family’s Purim by ending up in the emergency room! Speak to the doctor and your Rabbi before drinking even small amounts of wine, beer, or liquor. You do not want anyone to fulfill ‘Ad d’lo yodah’ by being unconscious in an ambulance!
USA
Federal Benefits-- Paper government benefits checks are being phased out. If you have Social Security of SSI, March 1st is the deadline to sign up to have your benefits deposited in electronic direct deposit or Direct Express debit card. For information visit www.GoDirect.org or call 800-333-1795.
Camp Mishkan—Though Camp Mishkan has closed, there is work underway to replace it with another independent special needs camp run by some of the people previously involved. They already have a tentative location and are in the midst of arranging all of the technicalities. We will keep you updated as to their progress.
New Jewish Special Education Blog--http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/
Smoke Detectors--The Rockland County Department of Health’s Healthy Neighborhood Program is providing free smoke alarms to eligible residents and has 600 available. Those who may qualify for the free smoke alarms include senior citizens, at-risk families and low-income residents.
To find out if they qualify, residents should call Christine Wagner at (845)
364-3292 or Shari Stopler at (845) 364-3290 at the Healthy Neighborhood
Program. They will be required to schedule a brief home survey with the health
department, which then will install the free smoke alarms that are equipped
with batteries. The department will also assist with installing smoke
detectors that are provided by residents.
They have also posted the following advisory:
Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
Change batteries in smoke alarms twice a year – each time clocks are changed, batteries should be changed.
Place smoke alarms on every level of the home including the basement, in every
sleeping area and outside every sleeping area.
Never smoke in bed and do not walk away from a lit cigarette.
Do not leave food cooking unattended - a serious fire need just seconds to start.
Have the chimney inspected and cleaned before using it.
Check that the furnace and all appliances are inspected and working properly.
Make sure any space heaters are UL listed, and that the cords are not frayed
and the heater is in proper working condition.
Never drape curtains or clothes over space heaters.
Develop a home fire escape plan.
Keep exits clear and free of debris.
The number of smoke detectors provided to residents will be based on the
number of bedrooms.
Maryland Residents—A bill being introduced in the Maryland State Senate would make it easier to place children with special educational needs in non-public schools. Bill #691 would place the burden of proof on the school system, rather than the family. Contact your legislator to ask for his/her support for this measure.
Additional things you can do:
Submit Testimony: Parents who are interested in submitting written testimony regarding the Burden of Proof bill will need to get their testimony to Dorie Flynn by February 27, she will make the necessary copies and deliver in time for the hearings.(email Dorie at:
Attending the hearings: For those wanting to attend the hearings – Contact Dorie Flynn at 410-938-4413 or the email address above.
Sen. Karen W. Montgomery (D)
Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
James Senate Office Building
Room 202
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3625
Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D)
Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
James Senate Office Building
Room 214
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3148
ISRAEL
Warning for Goucher’s Patients—The Israeli Association for Goucher’s Disease (www.goucher.org.il ) has informed us that "Care for Life", a company which offers home care services, is asking its patients to sign a consent form to receive enzyme therapy for Goucher's disease at home. According to a legal opinion that their organization received, the form contains problematic sections, including removal of responsibility by the company in case of future harm, G-d forbid. The organization recommends all patients who are asked to sign the form, to receive legal advice before signing the documents.
Plays For Children With Hearing Disorders--The MICHA Center in Jerusalem is inviting children with hearing disorders and their families to an accessible play, as well as a fun Gymboree just prior to it. The play is subsidized by the Fund for Jerusalem – cost per child is only 15 nis! (adults free of charge). For dates and registration contact Etty Cohen – 052-771-4658.