Building Inclusive Communities
We guide, train, and support Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.

Who We Are
Changing the Landscape of Disability Inclusion
Matan was created in the year 2000 to address the lack of Jewish educational opportunities afforded to children with special needs. Originally created as a “direct service” organization for children in the New York metro area, Matan’s efforts now support professional educators, lay leaders, clergy, administrators and communities nationwide in addressing the needs of individuals with a wide variety of learning, developmental and mental health challenges. Matan focuses on helping communities understand their inclusion needs, enabling them to establish and meet goals, and training Jewish communal leaders and educators in inclusive practices.
Stats
- The U.S. Department of Labor reports 1 in 4 Americans have a disability.1 in 5 American adults live with a mental health condition.
- 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- 15% of youth ages 3-21 receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).