Supplement to Jewish Action
the yachad magazine • 2013
national jewish council for disabilities
YACHAD EXECUTIVE TEAM Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman
National Director
Eli Hagler
Assistant Director
Yachad/NJCD’s Programs Include:
Dr. Joe Goldfarb
Assistant Director; Director, Summer Programs Ken Saibel
Associate Director, Institutional Advancement
YACHAD NATIONAL BOARD Aaron Kinderlehrer, Chairman Dr. Giti Bendheim
Dr. Isaac Klein
Joseph Bensmihen
Elaine Cohen-Liebman
Martin Bienstock
Atara Mauskopf
Rabbi Dovid Cohen
Howard Suss
Alan Forman
Esther Schlanger
Dr. Mark Freilich
Steven Spira
Dr. Jimmy Hain
Gary Snitow
Dr. Avi Jacobs
Dr. Tzochi Rosman
Ira Kellman
YACHAD NY/NJ PROGRAMMING Nicole Bodner, LMSW Director, NY Yachad and Program Director, Rayim Yachad
Rebecca Schrag, MSW
Program Director, Senior Yachad
Ron Hirschhorn
Program Director, Junior Yachad
Chani Herrmann, LMSW Director, New Jersey Yachad
YACHAD REGIONAL LEADERSHIP Deborah Rockoff
Director, National Programs
Ahuva Stern
Administrator, National Programs
Batya Jacob
Director, Educational Support Services
Art Therapy Chanukah Parties College Learning Programs Cultural Arts Program Dating & Marriage Group DayHab (Without Walls)
North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) “On The Job” Training Our Way for the Jewish Deaf Parent Support Groups Purim Carnival Relationship Building Course
Educational Services
Self-Advocacy
Family Services
Sensitivity Training Workshops
Individual Counseling
Shabbatons (Weekend Retreats)
IVDU School
SibZone
Leadership Training
Simchaton
Lobbying in Washington D.C.
Special Education Conferences
Midwest Family Shabbaton
Summer Programs
Morris Sandelbaum High School Fellowship
Taglit-Birthright Trips
National Family Shabbaton
Vocational Training
Team Yachad
Rabbi Eliezer Lederfeind National Director, Our Way
NATIONAL CHAPTERS Baltimore, MD
Mira Labovitz
Boston, MA
Liz Offen
Chicago, IL
Efrem Popel
Cleveland, OH
Sarah Taub, Sara Ireland Cooperman
Columbus, OH
Halle Schwartz
Dallas, TX
Rabbi Sandy Schulkes
Denver, CO
Emily Kieval
Detroit, MI
Jeff Lazar
Houston, TX
Gina Fass
Los Angeles, CA
Ian Lurie
Omaha, NE
Karen M. Gustafson
Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Shalom Hoffman
South Florida
Tzippi Rosen, Beth Landesman
St. Louis
Debbie Garbow
Toronto, Ont., Canada
Galya Ouanounou
Israel
Lisa (Rich) Galinsky, Yoel Sterman
Eli Hagler Carrie Beylus Michael Orbach Renée Rosenfeld Lee Landor Lauren Browdy
OU SENIOR TEAM Martin Nachimson
President
Stephen J. Savitsky
Chairman of the Board
Rabbi Steven Weil
Executive Vice President
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi H. Weinreb Executive Vice President, Emeritus Paul S. Glasser
Senior Director of Institutional Advancement
Mayer Fertig
Chief Communications Officer
Clockwise from top left: Birthright Yachad Summer 2012 – Tzvriel Frankenthal, Chicago, IL; Jonathan Weitzman, Woodmere, NY Yad B’Yad 2012 – Shaya Weinstein, Teaneck, NJ; Zack Pollack, Passaic, NJ; P’nina Wasserman, Brooklyn, NY; Aliza Fromowitz, Woodmere, NY YU Purim Carnival – Rafael Gordon, Far Rockaway, NY; Netanel Goldstein, Washington Heights, NY.
Executive Editor Director, Design & Branding, OU Assistant Editor Art Director Copy Editor Photo Contributor
How To Reach Us: Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities 11 Broadway, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10004 212-613-8229 • Fax: 212-613-0796 • yachad@ou.org www.yachad.org • @YachadNJCD www.facebook.com/yachadnjcd www.youtube.com/njcdyachad The typeface and leading of Belong are designed for legibility and readability by all audiences.
THEY SAY
you can’t trust anyone over 30. Perhaps. But you can certainly trust an organization that is celebrating its 30th anniversary of service to the greater Jewish community, and specifically, to those in the community with disabilities and their families. I am referring to Yachad, the National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD). This upcoming 30th anniversary milestone is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the growth of Yachad and the positive changes that have occurred in the greater Jewish community, in many cases with Yachad/ NJCD leading the way. This rapid growth is almost unparalleled in terms of social change in our society. When we think of Yachad, we think of its keyword — Inclusion. With all of the gains that have been made — and whenever you see a ramp leading up to the bimah in a synagogue or one of our members spending Shabbat at the home of a typically developing friend, you are witnessing inclusion in its truest and best forms. There is still so much more we need to do to change the attitude of the community. Every February we run a program called NAIM – North American Inclusion Month; in effect, we want the Jewish community to observe North American Inclusion Year -- every year. Our communities, individually and as a whole, need to become more inclusive. Yachad is doing that by continuing to grow our national and international chapters and expanding into cities where we previously have not had a presence. This summer, Yachad will be the largest provider of inclusive summer programs, organized around camping. These programs are directed toward children who will be campers, and to young adults who will work at the camp. Nevertheless, at a conservative estimate, there are still 7,000 additional Jewish children who want an inclusive summer camp experience but are not yet in such programs. Our gains could not be accomplished without our amazing staff. These highly educated professionals are immensely dedicated to their responsibilities and have a great love for their work. This year, Yachad began a series of in-service seminars for both our own staff, and social work and graduate school interns as well as outside participants. This program has become known as the “Yachad University.” Through our very “able” Yachad members, children and adults alike, our staff and lay leaders, we have been able to accomplish so much over the past 30 years. We are now looking to future achievements in changing attitudes in support of Inclusion and hope to celebrate this change, and along with it, the continued success of Yachad, those we serve and the entire Jewish community.
Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, National Director
YACHAD CELEBRATES 30 YEARS This year Yachad is celebrating its 30th birthday. That’s 30 years of promoting inclusion for Jewish children and adults with disabilities within the broader Jewish community. That’s 30 years of Shabbatons, social/recreational programming, trips, summer programs, work possibilities and vocational training for our members. That is 30 years of changing lives. BELONG is a showcase of Yachad’s activities across the globe and a rallying cry for those who believe that Jewish individuals with disabilities belong and deserve to be active participants in our communities. Yachad operates hundreds of programs across the U.S. and Israel and the launch of three new chapters in Denver, Detroit, and Israel has expanded our reach even further. “Yachad Shabbatons” have become a common term in elementary schools, high schools and college campuses -- together with the greater Jewish community we have celebrated more than 5,000 in our 30 years. More than 750 runners proudly displayed “Team Yachad” across their chest as they ran to raise funds for Yachad. Through our Yad B’Yad summer program, 500+ teens with disabilities and their typically developing peers have journeyed throughout North America and Israel, learning with and from each other. Our summer programs in 10 mainstream summer camps have taught children and teenagers that while someone may seem or appear different from themselves, we share an even stronger connection. In our quest to reach as many potential members, peers and advisors as possible we will be launching a new fully-interactive website. Think of the website as a portal to understanding what Yachad does. Professionally-made videos posted on YouTube will showcase our activities and the website will be the catalyst for an extensive Facebook and Twitter social media campaign to reach an even great audience. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook at YachadNJCD and on twitter at @YachadNJCD. With 30 years of experience under our belt, we are proud of our past successes; however, there is still far more for us to do and there are many more places for us to go. With your help we hope to take those steps. Now, buckle up and enjoy this issue of Belong!
Eli Hagler, Assistant Director
page 1
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN By Aaron Kinderlehrer
Looking back over 30 years since the Orthodox Union created Yachad/the National Jewish Council for Disabilities, it is really hard to fully comprehend the great strides that have been taken on behalf of those in the Jewish community with special needs. Back then individuals with special needs were almost never brought to the synagogue; they were largely hidden away. Today, we push the message of inclusion out into all aspects of the Jewish world and the broader society. This change is testament to immense effort of our Yachad team and so many others across the OU. Our professional Yachad staff is amazing. It includes some of the most dedicated and talented people in the Jewish community, and we can’t really say enough about them or even appropriately thank them. But Yachad also has a secret weapon that is rarely recognized or discussed. It is a group of people who really make things happen at Yachad and do so seeking no honor or recognition. As the proud parent of a Yachad member, my dear son Baruch, for over 20 years, as a member of the board of directors of Yachad for 10 years and now entering my fourth year as chairman, I have been fortunate to observe our programs and people from many perspectives. It is my belief that the key to Yachad’s success, and the key to the dreams that Chana Zweiter, Rabbi Julius Berman and Rabbi Rafi Butler had for Yachad three decades ago, are our volunteers — our unpaid advisors and our high school and college assistants on shabbatons, trips and programs. To watch the interaction between these wondrous human beings and our Yachad members is to watch the epitome of chesed (good deeds). Observing the joy on the faces of both our Yachad members and their advisors as they share their time together can make one tear up. To see a high-school advisor with a Yachad member on a Yad b’Yad trip to Israel is to see the true joy of life. To watch our counselors at work in our summer camp programs is to see and feel true friendship and true accomplishment. Oftentimes these interactions are just the beginnings of a long-term relationship with Yachad and of a life dedicated to chesed and helping the Jewish community. Yachad’s volunteers are its secret, its crown jewels. I have described them in conversation as being the true angels of our time. From Yachad parents and siblings, and the boards and lay leaders of Yachad and the Orthodox Union, thank you to all of you, from the bottom of our hearts.
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What’s Inside
Table of Contents 1 2 4 6 8 9 10 16 18
Director’s Message Yachad celebrates 30 years ensuring that everyone Belongs
20
How One Yachad Shabbaton Led to a Family Affair Yosef Rappaport and Rayla Guber met at a Yachad Shabbaton. The rest is history.
Chairman’s Message Discover the secret to Yachad’s success.
22
Team Yachad More than 180 runners from around the world ran as part of Team Yachad this year.
A Yachad Birthright Like No Other
25
Marathon Miracles At 74, Yehuda Berren is more than young at heart. He’s running marathons as a member of Team Yachad.
Interview with Yachad Youth Leadership Council President Racheli Weil
Five Yachad participants celebrated their bar and bat mitzvot in Israel as part of Taglit-Birthright Israel.
Learn what amazing things teen leaders in Yachad are up to.
Learning to Work
Helping the Jewish Deaf Community Make its Own Way
A Yachad member talks about his experience in Yachad’s new vocational program.
26
From the Heart How Yachad Boston changed the life of Jonathan Spiller.
Chapter Highlights
29
A siyum in Cleveland and a dance show in Omaha. Find out what Yachad’s nationwide chapters have been up to this year.
I’m a Yachad Partner for Life After one Shabbaton, Rachel Schwartzbard realized that Yachad was going to be an important part of her life.
Yachad Summer Programs With five new camps and scholarships, Yachad’s Summer Program is better than ever.
30 32
Our Way, part of Yachad/NJCD, makes sure that the Jewish deaf are a part of the Jewish community. Meet one of their incredibly successful participants.
Ask Rabbi Weinreb While spending Shabbat at a Yachad Shabbaton, advisors face many halachic challenges. Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, posek for Yachad, answers their questions.
Bringing Life to the Classroom Yachad’s IVDU School gives students a practical taste of the real world.
What Inclusion Means to Me For some people, inclusions means the ability to work in a store, for others it means that everyone has a chance to be a part of the conversation.
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Continues to Amaze! Each year, our group of dedicated runners raises much-needed funds for Yachad through Team Yachad’s participation in the ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon. For the fourth consecutive year, Team Yachad has grown in size and stature, from 29 runners in 2010 to 185 this year, including a 14-year-old and four 61-year-olds.
J o i n u s i n 2 01 4 what the
page 4
a nd fi n d o u t e xcit e m e n t i s a l l a b o u t !
page 5
A Yachad Birthright Like No by Bayla Sheva Brenner
Rabbi Menachem Persoff at the Bar/Bat Mitzvot atop Mount Masada
Asaf Salomon, educator, and Grady Hughes display Grady’s Bar Mitzvah certificate
THE PARTICIPANTS
anxiously peered
out of their wheelchair-accessible cable cars as they neared
whether to live as Jews or die as Jews. Thank God, today we can choose to live as Jews.”
the top of Masada. As soon as they landed, and despite the
For the ceremony, sheets were held around Persoff so that
relentless January group eagerly gathered around the canopy
sand wouldn’t blow into his eyes as he read from the Torah
and makeshift bimah that looked out over the vast Judean
on a weekday. The Yachad participants listened attentively as
desert. They were about to celebrate two major milestones:
the bar mitzvah boys recited the blessings and then, keeping
traveling to their Jewish homeland for the first time and
with custom, enthusiastically pelted them with candy.
helping five of their newfound friends mark their bar and bat mitzvahs.
“I’m so happy that I got bat mitzvahed in Israel,” said
Since 2003, Yachad has offered young-adult Jews with disabilities
Israel for Cook, a vivacious 25-year-old with developmen-
the popular all-expense-paid 10-day Taglit-Birthright Israel trip.
tal disabilities who works at a local Publix supermarket.
Now, every summer and winter, a group of 24 enthusiastic
However, her bat mitzvah experience came with a close call.
participants, eight counselors, a medic and several IDF soldiers have made this trip of a lifetime together. Even by those standards, last year’s trip proved more significant than usual. After discovering that some of the participants had never had a bar or bat mitzvah, Yachad staff members decided to organize a ceremony at Masada.
Jennifer Cook of Pembroke Pines, FL. This was the first visit to
Just hours before the anticipated event, Nicole Bodner, director of New York Yachad, realized they didn’t have Jennifer’s Hebrew name on record, an important component to the ceremony. She quickly emailed Jennifer’s mother, Bonnie, who “ripped apart the house” looking for her birth-naming certificate. She not only found it in time for the big event,
“It was a most fitting place for the event,” explained
but she also came across a letter Jennifer’s grandfather had
Menachem Persoff, Israel director of the OU Israel Free
written during a long-ago trip to Israel, in which he wrote, “I
Spirit program. “Masada is where the Jewish rebels took
hope my children and grandchildren will come here some-
their last stand against the Romans. They had to decide
day.” That day had arrived for his granddaughter, Yaffa Chana.
page 6
Other
Jonathan Wertheim, 25, never had a bar mitzvah and always
legally blind, deaf in his left ear and partially paralyzed. His
felt different because of it. Despite his developmental
passionate spirit remained intact.
delays, Jonathan lives on his own in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and works at Aventura Hospital. However, according to his mother, Susan, with all of his successes, he’s always felt painfully isolated
“I now have a home in Israel because of Yachad,” said Grady. “I can’t wait to go back.”
and alone. “He’s a different person because of this trip,” she said.
Yachad members weren’t the only ones partaking in the bar and
“He’s now part of what every other Jewish child experiences, no
bat mitzvah opportunity. Jamie Hasson, 19, a Yachad Shabbaton
longer on the outside looking in. He finally feels he belongs.”
advisor attending as a participant, grew up without having a bat
The Yachad Taglit-Birthright Israel trip also served to ensure that
mitzvah. She had also never been to Israel.
participants understand that they are an integral part of the Jewish
“I thought what could be better than Yachad and Israel together!”
community. As Suzanne Kerner, of Plainview, NY, explained about
said Jamie. “Yachad members always make me appreciate life so
her son Lane who also celebrated his bar mitzvah on the trip, “The
much more; everything puts a smile on their faces.”
trip connected him to his Judaism in such a profound way,” she said. “When he returned, he told us he wants go to shul with his father on Friday night and go to as many Yachad events as possible. It’s one of the most pivotal experiences he has had in his 25 years.” Caught up in all the bar and bat mitzvah excitement, Grady Hughes, 19, of Minnesota, decided that although he already had his bar mitzvah at 13, he wanted to have his bar mitzvah all
Although admittedly nervous about the prospect of speaking before the group, she wanted to present a meaningful bat mitzvah address for the ceremony. “Everyone kept cheering me on,” she said. “I saw their faces and the words just poured out of me… I would like to handle life the way they do — to know that everything is from Hashem and be able to accept it happily.”
over again in Israel. A charismatic presence in the group, Grady
Before making their descent from Masada, everyone broke into
suffered a traumatic brain injury at age eight, which left him
joyous dancing and sang out Am Yisrael Chai.
Background: Masada Mosaic
page 7
Learning to Work IN OCTOBER, I and three other participants became the first members of the new Yachad vocational program in New Jersey. I am glad to be a part of the Yachad vocational program. It allows me to do daily work in different places with other people while building important skills. I graduated from Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ, in 2010. For the past three years I have been doing volunteer work in Fair Lawn and other places in
by Michael Silverman Yachad Member, NJ Yachad
On Wednesdays, all four of us help out at the National Yachad Office by filling folders with papers for events, doing mailing and working on different office skills such as researching topics on the computer. I help out at the Teaneck General Store by doing organizational work in the storage area. I write and type up game instructions and advertisements, and help out my supervisor with other errands inside and outside the store.
New Jersey. The jobs I have volunteered for have been packing
Another project we do is assembling gift baskets in the
food at the Fair Lawn
Teaneck Yachad office for the families hosting Yachad and
Tomchei Shabbos, an
NCSY participants for Shabbatons. We also organized food
organization that gives
and household items in the pantry at the Teaneck Jewish
food to the needy, and
Center for victims of Superstorm Sandy.
It allows me to do daily work ... while building important skills
helping out at the King James Nursing Home
As for my future career expectations, I plan to become a
and
Family
graphic artist and home and office organizer. I am also
Services in Teaneck. I also worked as a personal assistant in
interested in business advertisement and a job in the creative
an office for an insurance agent in Fair Lawn.
writing field. I find the vocational program to be a great
Jewish
experience; we build upon our work skills and learn many When we first started at the Yachad vocational program,
social skills to help us
Chani Herrmann, the director of New Jersey Yachad,
interact with our employers
had us meet with job coaches and spend orientation
and coworkers.
days with our employers at our new workplaces. We work at Five Star Catering on Mondays; Kushner Hebrew Academy on Tuesdays; the New York Yachad office on Wednesdays, and another participant and I work at the Teaneck General Store on Thursdays. At Five Star Catering we help the staff by wrapping silverware in plastic wrap, counting different silverware, assembling sugar and tea packets into small
Michael doing data entry at Marketing Dynamics in Hackensack, NJ
cartons, and cleaning and shining serving pieces. I do office work at Kushner with another participant. So far the tasks were alphabetizing new student information, filing student school trip forms in folders, stuffing envelopes with concert cards and assisting with serving lunch. The two other volunteers have jobs in the pre-k and in the science lab. Michael filing at Teaneck General Store page 8
From the heart by Jonathan Spiller,
Yachad Member, Boston Yachad
YACHAD BOSTON has changed my life in so many ways. It has given me a place to belong. I have always dreamed of joining a Jewish organization where I can meet new people and make new friends, and where no one cares how old I am. I have had fun at the events so far.
By the end of bowling I knew I made lots of new friends and they were true friends who wanted to talk to me. I didn’t want the bowling event to end, but I knew that Yachad Boston would have more events that I could go to. I even had two new Facebook friends after
the
event. The first Yachad event I went to was bowling at
I was really excited to make new friends
King’s Bowling in November. When I arrived with
Ev e r y o n e
my parents and sister I didn’t know what to expect.
convinced
I was really excited to make new friends and talk
me to go
to lots of people. I started speaking to people right
to the Yachad Chanukah party at the Young Israel
away — we talked about
of Brookline in Massachusetts. I went and had so
bowling and my love of
much fun. A good friend of mine even asked me
skee ball and ice cream.
to read a Dvar Torah in front of everyone. At first I
I had never used big bowling balls before, but I love trying new things and I learned very quickly how to bowl. Everyone gave me high fives. I really appreciated that and I appreciated how
was nervous, but it was really an honor for me that a friend asked me to read his speech. I thought to myself: when a friend asks you to read a speech you do it because it is a good thing to do. I practiced a lot and someone held the microphone for me. I didn’t look at any of the people; I just stared at the paper. I hesitated, but then kept reading until I got to the
everyone was very nice
end. I had fun doing arts and crafts at the Chanukah
and welcoming. I did
party and playing dreidel and hacky sack in the
skee ball a few times too
hallways of the Young Israel. I look forward to going
and loved it a lot. There
on more Yachad Boston events. All the new friends
was also ice cream cake.
I met will always be a part of my life.
page 9
NATIONAL CHAPTER
Highlights
d My Yachea r
Omaha
b y S h a ri B in d
On March 3, Yachad members participated in the first annual dance concert of the Jewish Community Center in Omaha, NE. After many practice sessions, the show went off without a hitch. I sat in the audience to view the production and I was truly impressed by all the performers. One of the Yachad members, K.C. Ruback, declared how excited he was to have a shot in the spotlight at this stage performance. Grace Isler, another Yachad member, was very pleased with herself for having remembered all the dance moves. The entire group must be commended for dancing so well and enjoying themselves. Yet another performer, Tyrie Cook, who assisted several Yachad participant, took part in the show. Tyrie stated she had to overcome stage fright for this performance, but she managed to do a wonderful job. I am very proud of my newfound friends. I have only been in Omaha for a few months, but I am happy to say how easy my transition was because of all the new friends I have in the Yachad group. They are an amazing bunch of people.
Play participan
ts rehearse be
page 10
fore the big ni
ght!
2 1 0 2 e v a l c n o C te in b y A v i E is e n s
Chicago
The more than 200 high school students who gathered for MidWest NCSY’s Winter Conclave in December had a very special guest for the weekend: Yachad. Yachad members and advisors made sure that their presence was felt. From always being in the middle of the circle during dancing, to consistently being the loudest during zemirot, Yachad members enjoyed giving from the never-ending reserve of ruach that is Yachad.
This ruach culminated at Yachad walk-in. Led by Michel Lis as Simba, Yachad members donned lion masks and marched into the hall with “The Lion King” anthem blasting, which then lead into Hinei Mah Tov. The crowd went wild as Yachad succeeded in blowing the roof off of the Yachad/NCSY banquet. The entire NCSY crowd joined in on the singing and cheering. Yachad members also enjoyed roller skating, snow tubing, bowling and shopping during the Shabbaton weekend. They also took part in the Q, the Saturday night game show activity. Yachad members embodied the happiness theme of the Shabbaton and spread it to all those with whom they interacted. New friendships and bonds were made with NCSYers. Winter conclave was a weekend to remember for both NCSYers and Yachad members. Both Yachad and NCSY are agencies of the OU.
New Board Members
It’s always exciting to welcome new faces to our Yachad family. The smiles, energy and spirit they bring contribute greatly to our Yachad family. This year, we had the amazing opportunity of welcoming a few new members to our charismatic and accomplished board of high school students. The board was launched a few years ago because of the increasing interest in the Chicago Yachad chapter. The board’s job is to help make Yachad in Chicago as fun, interesting and captivating as possible while also helping increase inclusive opportunities in our community. It is so inspiring to see the time given by these teenagers to help others. Each new member selected has the characteristics to help sharpen our own ideas and to improve the board as a whole. Their ideas, creativity and resourcefulness will all add up to fortify our already determined board. Every year the new board builds on last year’s successes. The new and enthusiastic members have broadened our ideas to further help Yachad and its participants.
page 11
Los Angeles Yachad L.A. Takes a Trip Around the World Each month, Yachad LA chose a different country and dedicated one event during the month to learning about and celebrating the culture of that place. Our kickoff event was a Mexican fiesta, and during “American November” we had a delicious Thanksgiving feast. In honor of Chanukah, we enjoyed a “Greek December,” where more than 50 participants joined Yachad L.A. for our Winter Olympics and Toga Party. We played games, enjoyed Greek foods and dressed up in fun and creative Greek garb. Another country was selected for every month.
page 12
We began the day with a competitive race and then played egg-toss.The winning team managed to throw the egg over 40 feet! After that incredible game, we had a jump-rope competition where some very hidden talents were revealed. Last, but certainly not least, we finished the day with a watermelon eating contest and our contestants gobbled up the watermelon at record speed! January was “North Pole January” with a winter wonderland, and for Pesach, of course, we had an “Egyptian March.”
Iron Chef In honor of Tu B’Shvat, St. Louis Yachad members went bowling and enjoyed an “Iron Chef” competition. Two teams were provided with different fruits and fun foods such as Jelly Belly Flops, banana chips, oranges, apples, blueberries, dried cranberries and bananas. They were asked to come up with a creative type of fruit salad using the foods.
St. Louis
One team created a funny face while the other team went with a more traditional presentation — both presentations won raves from participants and advisors alike.
Baltimore page 13 Baltimore Ya ch ad celebrate the Ravens’ Su perbowl victor y
Cleveland My Siyum Ya c h a d b y C le v e la n d p a rt ic ip a n t s te in Jonah Ruben
When I am with NCSY, Yachad, or in shul, I am always amazed about how much there is to learn about Judaism. When I came back from Israel I was inspired to learn more. I wanted to apply what I learned for myself as well as help and inspire others. When I told the people at Yachad about how I wanted to learn, they began thinking of a chavrusah for me. Cleveland Yachad coordinator Sarah Cooperman found me a chavrusah and made my dream of learning become a reality. I now learn every Monday night. The first time I met my chavrusah I was nervous about what he would think of me, and how strict he might be when it comes to learning Torah. I was afraid about how little I know and that my chavrusah would think that it was a waste of time to learn with me. Yet when I first met Shaya Shtern, he welcomed me into the kollel where he learns. I saw all the men talking and learning. I could feel the energy in the room! Every time I go to the kollel, I feel relaxed and calm because hearing people learn Torah and being able to learn helps me feel less overwhelmed with school and makes me feel closer to Hashem. I thought we were going to be learning parsha, but when Shaya introduced me to Mishna I became really interested in it.
sah, his chavru stein with en b . u a R k u h n a Jon m on Cha rticipant unity siyu m Yachad pa m co r ei tern, at th Shaya Sh
This article is written in the memory of Jonah’s grandmother, Carol Brown, OBM, who always instilled in her family a love for Judaism. Jonah’s siyum was one of the last events she attended before her passing in January of this year and she expressed such pride and pleasure at being able to attend and see her grandson so involved in Torah pursuits.
page 14
The first chapter we learned talked about the rules and meanings of certain blessings. There were some things that I already knew, however, later on, I realized there were some blessings that I never heard of before! And I even learned new things about the blessings that I aready say like the morning blessings, blessings over food, Shema and blessings in the prayer services. Every Monday I go to the kollel to learn with Shaya. I never miss a session, no matter what else I have to do — even if I’m exhausted from a long day. I always manage to get there to learn Mishna, one chapter at a time. Eventually, my time with Shaya was rewarded with the completion of Mishna Brachot. I was so proud of myself and everyone at the kollel, even the head rabbi, was proud of me as well. Afterwards, I was given a siyum at the kollel, but Shaya and his wife Dassi wanted to celebrate my achievement with a community siyum at their house. Every new piece of knowledge that I acquire makes me want to learn and grow even more! I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have been given.
Boston
Greater Boston Yachad held an all-ages family-oriented Tu B’shvat seder at Congregation Shaarei Tefillah in Newton, MA. More than 120 people attended the event which was co-sponsored by K’Sharim — a special needs group at Jewish Family & Children’s Services and Shaarei Tefillah. The seder was co-led by Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, rabbi of Shaarei Tefillah, and Yachad Coordinator Liz Offen. Everyone was treated to a magic show by Yachad member Noah Bittner, a spring planting activity and a lovely dinner. Using a haggadah created specially for this event, participants sampled many types of fruits, nuts and even some less common foods like carob and papaya. Everyone sang along with Yachad teen peers, David Krane and Ben Simon, and had fun pretending to be trees sprouting in the sun. The Tu B’shvat seder provided opportunities for individuals with disabilities, their family and friends to celebrate a fun holiday together. This was especially meaningful as Shaarei Tefillah was recently recognized as an “Inclusive Synagogue” during North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) — one of only 30 synagogues across North America to be certified by Yachad as an inclusive synagogue.
der
e Tu B’shvat S
page 15
I’m a Yachad Partner for Life by Rachel Schwartzbard
ON DECEMBER 1, 2006, my life changed. That was when I discovered Yachad. The yearly eighth grade Yachad Shabbaton was an event that everyone looked forward to in my elementary school, Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, in Edison, New Jersey. I was on the planning committee and we decorated the gym and welcomed the Yachad members. While most of my friends were nervous, I was excited. From the start, I knew it was going to be an incredibly special Shabbat. We sang, we danced and we laughed, but, most importantly, we learned from each other. I took my newly discovered passion for this organization to the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ. Kushner had an annual Yachad Shabbaton and I knew what to expect. I had a countdown until that Shabbaton came, and, like the first, it passed too quickly. I realized that one Shabbaton a year wasn’t enough; there had to be more ways for me to get involved. I learned about the Yad B’Yad summer program — where Yachad takes high school students and Yachad members across America (and now Israel) — and I knew there was nothing I wanted to do more. Yad B’Yad was the best experience of my life. From touring and learning to dancing and laughing, I grew more as a person in those five weeks than I could have imagined. I met page 16
the most amazing people: staff, high school students and Yachad members. There was one Yachad member in particular with whom I built an everlasting friendship. We sat on the bus, hiked and ate meals together. He taught me what it meant to be happy. To this day, I speak weekly to friends that I made on that trip. It was because of Yad B’Yad that Yachad became my family, and every summer since 2009 I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with that very special family. After 11th grade, I worked at Yachad’s inclusive program at Camp Moshava in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where each counselor is paired up with a Yachad member in a shadow program. After 12th grade, I worked on Yachad Getaway and Nesher’s Yachad program. Getaway is a truly unique program where older Yachad members together with recent high school graduates “get away” to a retreat home and live together as one big happy family for two weeks. Both were special in their own way and saying goodbye to all the new friends I made at the end of the summer was one of the hardest things I had to do. The
end
of
the
summer after 12th
I knew there was nothing I wanted to do more
grade was also difficult since I was going to Israel for seminary, which meant no Yachad for the entire year. That would have been the first time in five years that I wasn’t on at least a few Yachad Shabbatons. However, when I found out that I could run the Jerusalem marathon as part of Team Yachad, I signed up without hesitation. Through the training sessions and the post-race BBQ with the Yachad members and runners, I developed relationships with people who shared my passion. A few weeks after the marathon, Yachad Birthright came to Israel and we had a joint BBQ party in Gan Sacher, Rachel ran as a member of Team Yachad in the Jerusalem Marathon .
a park close to the race’s finish line. It was incredible to see so many of my friends from different experiences and programs coming together. Since then, Yachad has started a new
just being someone for the families to talk to, I am thankful for
chapter in Israel. The summer after Israel, I attended Yachad’s program at
the opportunity.
Camp Morasha, in Lakewood, PA. I shadowed a very special
Coordinating a Shabbaton requires me to be very detail
girl in the Yachad bunk. We are around the same age, but
oriented.
she was just so much wiser than I was. She had a sense of
smoothly, be it helping out advisors to adding that extra bit of
determination to do what she felt was right, no matter what
ruach (excitement) to the circle. Being a Junior Yachad coordi-
anyone else said. She taught me the meaning of never back-
nator is incredibly meaningful to me. My first Shabbaton was
ing down or giving in, regardless of what or who stands in
when I was in eighth grade, and, now, my fellow coordinators
your way.
and I are running the Shabbatons for today’s eighth graders.
When I returned from Israel, I became a coordinator for New York Yachad’s Junior division, which provides programming for Yachad members between the ages of 8 and 15. Being a coordinator allows me to develop relationships with Yachad members and their families. Shabbatons provide a respite for many Yachad parents, but my relationship with these incredible families doesn’t start and end with Shabbatons. I’ve been given the opportunity to really get to know parents and siblings of different members in my region. I know about family vacations and the
Whenever I see an eighth grader interacting with a Yachad member, I think to myself: “That was me, six years ago!” Every one of them on the Shabbaton has the potential to spend the next six years of their life involved with Yachad, the same way I have. Through each and every one of my experiences, I’ve learned more about who I am as a person, and just so much about life in general. Each person I’ve met taught me something different and I am forever grateful to each of them.
de-
Recently, when looking through some old pictures from my
their
eighth grade Shabbaton, I found one of a Yachad member
lives. In some
who was in my bunk this past summer at Camp Morasha.
ways, I feel like
We’ve changed in so many ways. I no longer wear my hair
a part of their
that way, and she grew out her bangs. Now I am in college,
family. Wheth-
and she is finishing high school. I listen to different music,
er that means
and I’m sure she watches different television shows. In short,
helping out on
we grew up. But the one thing that hasn’t changed for either
a Sunday, pick-
of us is our connection to Yachad. Yachad has provided me,
ing up a child
like it has for so many others, a sense of family. Yachad has
from school, or
given me a place where I belong.
day-to-day tails
Rachel with Yachad member Gila Mazel at Camp Morasha
It means ensuring that everything is running
of
page 17
YACHAD’S SUMMER DEPARTMENT is on a roll! With more
than 17 unique programs providing inclusive summer recreational experiences, Yachad is gearing up for the largest and greatest summer to date. This summer, we are proud to welcome five new camps into our partnership programs. Camp Shoshanim (Lake Como, PA), will have a Yachad bunk for girls between the ages of 9 and 15. The bunk will join mainstream campers for activities during the day. We are also working with Camp Mogen Avraham (Swan Lake, NY) and Camp Sternberg (Narrowsburg, NY) of the SHMA Family of Camps to offer the Chaverim and Kesher programs respectively. In addition, we are pleased to introduce two new programs in Canada. With the encouragement of our successful local Toronto chapter, and the strong interest from camp directors, we are partnering with Moshava Ba’ir, a day camp in Toronto, for a vocational program, and with Camp Moshava Ennismore for a two-week pilot camper program. Additionally, our campers are now eligible for the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper scholarship. This scholarship enables first-time campers who attend public school during the year to receive a reduction in their camp tuition. We hope this will allow even more individuals with special needs to attend camp. With many experienced program directors and staff returning again, we are very excited to begin the 2013 summer season. Let the countdown to summer begin!
Dr. Joe Goldfarb Assistant Director, Director, Summer Programs
For more information contact: yachadsummer@ou.org 212.613.8369
a h c a YInclusive Summe
s m a r g o r P Camp CAMPER PROGRAMs
Children and young adults ages 8-21 Camp Activities with typically developing campers Morasha (ages 13-21) Moshava EnnisMorE (ages 9-16) nEshEr (ages 8-14) shoshaniM (ages 9-16) ChavEriM (males 8-30) KEshEr (girls 8-25)
TRAVEL PROGRAMs
Young adults ages 18-45 Participants vacation and tour the US and Israel
TagliT BirThrighT israEl (ages 18-26) YaChad gETawaY (ages 18-45) gETawaY TravEl (ages 18-35) Yad B’ Yad israEl ExpEriEnCE (ages 18-35)
Yachad Is an agencY of The orThodox UnIon
aedr
ialization, c o S g n ri te s Fo e and Fun Independenc
SHADOW PROGRAMs Children ages 9-15 Campers are placed within a typical bunk Moshava MEsorah
VOCATIONAL PROGRAMs
Young adults ages 18-35 Participants enjoy job satisfaction and develop social and work skills with job coaches lavi MEsorah Morasha Moshava Moshava Ba'ir nJ Moshava Ba'ir ToronTo
page 19
How One Yachad Shabbaton Led to a Family Affair by Simi Lichtman
cuy
kzn
Yosef and Rayla at their wedding. Their shirts read “I met my bashert at a Yachad shabbaton, IY”H by you.”
EVERY HAPPY COUPLE has a story. And for some couples, Yachad is a part of the story. When they first met, Yosef Rappaport and Rayla Guber were both students at Yeshiva University. Despite having mutual friends, the two never spoke with one another until Rayla’s first Junior Yachad Shabbaton in Jamaica Estates, NY, in 2003. Yosef was a coordinator at the Shabbaton and they began talking on Shabbat afternoon. Yosef immediately felt the chemistry. “I’m 95 percent sure I saw a sparkle in Yosef ’s eye when he saw Rayla,” recalled Hal Levy, a friend who was on the Shabbaton. Yosef asked a friend to set them up, but at first Rayla wasn’t interested. page 20
Rayla and Yosef with their two children, Dalya and Avigail.
Rayla and some Yachad participants
“From developing an appreciation for the benefits of diversity within the community, to inspiration when seeing
“I was very young,” Rayla explained. “But then I said, ‘Okay let’s try it.’” After three dates, though, they called it off. “I was a terrible dater,” said Rayla. “I was very shy and quiet.” Rayla said that when she was on Yachad Shabbatons she was able to relax and truly be herself, but on dates she felt too pressured. The two kept in touch and continued to see each other on Shabbatons. Rayla’s more confident side came out on those weekends, and Yosef mustered up the courage to ask her out again. They began dating a week before they both left to work on Yachad’s Birthright trip.
couple admitted. However, since they were both going to be on the same intensive program in Israel together, they decided to continue dating. During the next 10 days the tenor of their relationship changed dramatically.
“There was no option of not being myself. We saw each other at our best and at our worst. We really got to know each other. Without Yachad we
probably
would have just broken up again, but instead we got very comfortable with each other.”
atmosphere for people with disabilities, Yachad also has a profound effect on the lives of its staff members. unique
focus
on
inclusion
monumental
challenges, inclusion offers us all so much,” Dr. Lichtman continued. “Another very concrete benefit is the opportunity for young people
to
meet.
Young
adults who serve as advisors
for
Yachad
are among the very best of our youth. This opportunity
to
while
working
Yachad
has
meet for
spawned
Rayla, with Yachad member Dina Finegold at sheva brachot hosted by Junior Yachad
the past three decades.” Yosef also attributed the success of their relationship to his own personal journey becoming a Yachad coordinator.
to be the type of person who could get into the middle of a circle and just start shouting and leading the group. I didn’t think I was that type of person. But you just become that type of person; you put all your hesitations aside because everyone needs you.” Levy adds that Yosef was legendary in Yachad for being the type of person who gave everything he had to a Yachad member if they needed it.
is
he said. The couple got engaged six months after the Birthright trip, and were married five months after that. The couple’s relationship with Yachad didn’t end at the chuppah; the two still attend Shabbatons together.
obviously
beneficial to individuals who have disabilities,” said Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, National Director of Yachad. “What is less obvious is the impact this inclusion has on individuals without disabilities.”
seemingly
“It’s probably the reason Rayla fell in love with him,”
While Yachad is known for its work creating an inclusive
“Yachad’s
overcome
“I was nervous about being a coordinator,” he admitted. “I had
“Yachad Birthright is extremely intense,” explained Rayla.
Birthright
others
many marriages over
“It was very awkward and we weren’t clicking at all,” the
Yachad also has a profound effect on the life of its staff members
how
“All the Yachad coordinators danced at our wedding in their Yachad t-shirts,” Rayla added. “We are grateful for what Yachad does for the Jewish community, but Yosef and I were lucky enough to take it one step further… We found each other.”
page 21
RUNNING IN THE RAIN
It’s raining in Jerusalem. Thousands
was so happy for him. I really felt that he was where he
of people are running up hills and
should have always been.”
through the winding streets, determined to finish the race in spite of
the weather. They are cold. They are tired. Yet one of them is singing.
The first few months after Berren’s move to Israel were busy: he studied Hebrew in an Ulpan and began learning Gemarah. Eventually, he became so fluent that he was even able to attend classes in Hebrew. Then Berren decided he
“Am Yisrael Chai!” chants Yehuda Berren.
wanted a new challenge: running.
Over the course of the 10-kilometer race, other participants
You have to give back
jog over to sing with him and cheer him on. Despite the weather, Berren is all positivity and drive. He is also 74 years old. “When I came to the race they just stared at me,” explained Berren, the oldest member of Team Yachad. “They asked me
With a grandson who has autism, Berren has long been familiar with Yachad’s work. “I wanted to help Yachad because they help everyone,” he said.
if I was participating. I said: ‘I raised the money, why
Looking for a way to raise money for
shouldn’t I?’”
Yachad, Berren discovered Team Yachad. Launched
A new life
in
2009,
Yachad’s
most
When Berren’s wife Carol died, he began attending
successful
fund-
Congregation Beth Israel in Malden, MA, to say kaddish in
raiser. Participants
her memory. It was a difficult time for Berren, as his close
run in races rep-
friend, Daniel Bitran, attested.
resenting
“It was horrible for him,” Bitran recalled. “They had a very close relationship and they did everything together.”
Team
Yachad
is
Team
Yachad. Each runner is responsible to fundraise for
In time, Berren became a valued member of the Orthodox
Yachad
community. He drove the 35-minute commute in the early
exchange, Yachad
hours of the morning to be on time for Shachrit. He began
takes care of all
learning the laws of Shabbat and eagerly sought out more
arrangements
topics to learn. One thing led to another and Berren realized
from airfare and hotel to race registration and giveaways.
that he wanted to make Aliyah. Members of his congregation
This year, close to 500 runners participated in marathons
worked with Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization dedicated to
internationally as part of the team.
helping people move to Israel, to make the transition as easy as possible.
and
in Yehuda with his grandson - his inspiration to run with Team Yachad
“Running a marathon is on everyone’s bucket list,” explained Eli Hagler, assistant director of Yachad. “When
For Berren it was the right decision. He took to Israel
runners join with Team Yachad, they’re not only running for
like a native and
themselves, they’re running for a great cause. Running with
even
the words ‘Team Yachad’ written out across your chest gives the
his
health
improved. “When there his
accomplishment that much more meaning.”
he I
got
Money raised through sponsorships goes directly to Yachad
cried,”
programming, continuing Yachad’s work of enhancing life
Joni
opportunities for people with disabilities and promoting
cousin
Meyer
said.
“I
their inclusion within the Jewish community.
page 22 Yehuda and his wife Carol, a”h
ouda! G eh
Y
Marathon Miracles:
Profile of Yehuda Berren by Alisa Roberts As a former postman, Berren was used to walking, but he
another member of Team Yachad. “He has such an energy
never was into running. In fact, before the marathon he broke
about him… He got everyone cheering. He’s the most inspi-
his ankle, but after three months of using a walker and over-
rational person to run with.”
coming a limp, the spry 74-year-old was back on his feet. He started small — walking to the local market and back. Then a
Tal Friedman, his other running partner, added, “Berren kept
little farther. Soon he was walking to Har Hertzel — and back.
jogging the whole way even when I was so exhausted. And
He used his rehab as a way to train and get in shape for the
he wasn’t just jogging, he was singing while he was jogging.
Jerusalem race.
It was crazy.”
“I say midah keneged midah. Hashem cured me, so I have
Asked about the sing-
to help other people,” Berren said. “That’s the only thing
ing, Berren chuckled.
you can do — when someone does good to you, you have to
“I didn’t want anyone
give back.”
to get bored,” he said.
The race
“I really liked being
The day of the race wasn’t a pretty one. Not only was it
with the young peo-
raining, but chunks of hail fell from the sky.
ple,”
That didn’t stop Berren. “Everything about him was wow,” said Adina Lichtman,
he
I say midah keneged midah Hashem cured me, so I have to help other people
continued.
“I’d like to do another year. I feel like Hashem has performed so many miracles for me, so I try to help others. Everything is a miracle.” page 23
Proud to be an exclusive sponsor of
page 24
h t i w w e rvi e t n I n A
l i e W i l e h c a R
t
en d i s e r P YLC
Y
by Molly Brodsky
Q: What is Yachad Youth Leadership Council (YYLC)? A: Yachad Youth Leadership Council is a committee of 21 high school student leaders from across the New York metropolitan area who meet every few weeks to promote inclusion and bring Yachad programming into
Racheli, left, with Molly at a Yachad shabbaton
our local communities. Together we plan events, spread awareness and promote inclusion among high schools and communities within the New York and New Jersey region.
Q: Why did you want to be president of YYLC? A: Ever since I became involved with Yachad after attending Yad B’Yad in 2011, I knew it was something I felt passionate about and wanted to stay a part of. YYLC was the perfect opportunity to do that because it is very hands-on. I am able to make an impact on more than just my school and my community; what we do affects communities across the Tri-state area.
Q: What has been your favorite event? A: My favorite event was a pizza-making event. It was a
group of 30
people making pizza, hanging out and just having fun. It was not anything extravagant, but everyone who was there had a nice time socializing and really enjoyed themselves.
, Q: What is one of YYLC s biggest accomplishments this year? A: One new thing we took on this year is “Spread the Word to End the Word,” a campaign to stop people from using the word “retarded.” We felt that this was an important issue because so many people say this word without even realizing its negative social impact. We made flyers to hang around schools, showed videos and made announcements. We also designed bracelets that said, “I pledge to end the word.” By wearing these bracelets it is a constant reminder to avoid using the “R” word. The campaign was so successful that it spread across the United States and Canada. We are very proud of the work we have done so far and hope to continue and eradicate the word from people’s daily vocabulary. YYLC is supervised by Rebecca Schrag, Program Director for NY Yachad’s Senior Division
page 25
Helping the Jewish Deaf Community Make its Own Way by Alisa Roberts
ONE AFTERNOON Shaya and Dvora Oratz
in the midst of a cold and wintry December, 12-year-old Shaya Oratz got lost in New York City. Shaya had been on a trip with the Borough Park Y to Madison Square Garden during his school’s Chanukah vacation when he seemingly disappeared. His mother, Rebbetzin Chani Oratz, received a frantic phone call from her husband who was with a New York City police captain: they wanted to know what Shaya was wearing the last time she had seen him. Not only did Shaya not know his way around New York City, but he was deaf and suffered some cognitive impairments.
page 26
However,
when
Chani
answered
the
phone,
she
was nonchalant.
include the signing for candle lighting, Friday night prayers and blessings, as well as books on Jewish law for the deaf and
“What are you talking about?’ She asked her husband, Rabbi Pesach Oratz, a rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva University. As he became more insistent, she became more and more bewildered.
hard of hearing. But their participants seem to connect most to the Shabbatons as it gives them a chance to socialize and meet others with similar disabilities.
Exasperated, she finally answered: “I don’t know if they lost
“Typically, Our Way gathers local Jewish deaf at their
him, but he’s standing right here. Actually, he’s asking if you
synagogue,” explained Rabbi Lederfeind. “We bring in deaf
could please come home so that we can go out.”
Torah scholars — deaf people who are Orthodox and learned
With the situation happily resolved, Chani asked Shaya how he managed to get from Madison Square Garden to their
— who give sessions to weekend participants on a wide array of topics.”
house in Brooklyn. In answer to her question, Shaya began
For Shaya, such inclusion provided much-needed stimulation.
listing all the stops on the F train from one end in Queens to
To this day, he still remembers fondly the many programs he
the other end in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. He had jumped
participated in. He made lifelong friends through Our Way.
over a turn-style in midtown and figured his own way home. While his family had noticed that he loved to look at the
Since the time when Shaya was a member of Our Way,
subway map, they had never realized that he had memorized
the organization has expanded nationally, having run
the entire subway system.
programs in San Diego, Houston, Baltimore and Los Angeles to name a few.
That was the Oratz’s first inkling that their son, deaf from a rubella virus that his mother contracted when she was
“We
pregnant with him, was unique.
grams
organize for
proJewish
deaf all over,” Rabbi
Inclusion provided much needed stimulation
As he entered high school, Shaya’s parents began looking for
Lederfeind said. “We
a social atmosphere where Shaya could socialize with other
connect
Jews suffering from deafness and hearing loss. The couple
with their shuls, their
turned to Our Way. Founded in 1969, and now a department
communities and their peers.”
the
deaf
of Yachad/The National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), Our Way is an organization that provides support
Rabbi Lederfeind also feels that the program serves an
and resources for the Jewish deaf and hard of hearing.
important role in making people more aware of their deaf peers.
“The problem, especially with the signing deaf community, is that they have no place to go,” explained Rabbi Eliezer
“Very often it’s the meeting of the deaf and the hearing,” he
Lederfeind, director and founder of Our Way. “They don’t
said. “The deaf learn about Judaism and the hearing learn
fit or associate with people with disabilities or typically
about deafness. And everyone is appreciative.”
developing people. Very often they are not included in all the different functions of the Jewish community. Unfortunately, they are often forgotten.”
As for Shaya, since his days navigating the subways of New York City, he now works in the office of the mayor of New York City. He and his wife Dvora were recently honored by
Our Way sponsors Shabbatons —
Beth Torah of the Deaf for their involvement in the Jewish
weekend retreats — and provides
deaf community. Shaya maintains a regular chavrusah and
support and resources to the
keeps in touch with the friends and the community he met in
Jewish deaf community. They also
Our Way. These days, he even boasts of an accomplishment
produce
that many non-deaf Jews haven’t reached; he participates in
educational
materials,
such as Shabbat packets that
the Daf Yomi cycle. page 27
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June 2011
June 2013 A Supplement of the
A SPECIAL NEEDS MAGAZINE
JUNE 2013 IN THIS ISSUE:
EARLY INTERVENTION Where it All Begins…
Page 40
A Life of Autism Page 46
Services in Israel
Homeschooling Neonatal Intervention Is it Sensory Nutritional Supplements Dentistry for Needs Mainstreaming Issues Plus Family Forum Ask the Expert ResourceSpecial Listings Product Reviews and Much More Page 20
Page 58
December 2012
“I realized how bleak my future really was”
A Supplement of the
Page 28
December 2011
June 2012
BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE
December 2012
To Participate Please Contact Us At: 718.330.1100 ext 352 or sales@jewishpress.com
Ask Rabbi Weinreb…
Yachad Posek Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Responds to Halachic Questions Submitted by Advisors The answers below were made with close consultation with several rabbinic authorities.
Can Yachad members be counted a minyan? Can Yachad members daven for the amud and get aliyot?
If you have a question for Rabbi Weinreb, please email Yachad@ou.org.
towards
Yachad member is as intelligent as even the
Some Yachad members use an electronic talking board to communicate; are advisors allowed to turn it on for them on Shabbat? Additionally, are advisors allowed to plug in the talking board to recharge it?
lowest end of the normal range of 13-year-olds
Yachad
in the general population, he can be counted
choleh she’ain bo sakanah, a moderately ill person who is not in
toward a minyan. Some specific criteria that are
immediate mortal danger. Because of that status, various leniencies
indicative of adequate intelligence are: the ability
apply with regard to Shabbat observance. In this specific instance,
to carry on reasonable conversation, reading
facilitating the Yachad member’s ability to communicate would be
comprehension and the ability to read Hebrew
a sufficient reason to allow turning on the machine by the member
at a third-grade level or basic arithmetical skills.
or by any other Jew. An advisor would also be allowed to charge
Whether or not a Yachad member can be counted in a minyan depends upon the severity of his intellectual limitations. In general, if the
Regarding aliyot and davening for the amud, the minimum qualification would be the same
members
have
the
halachic
status
of
a
chronic
the machine on Friday night. A more acceptable solution, when possible, would be to ask a non-Jew (even directly) to charge or turn
as for being part of a minyan, plus the Yachad
on the machine.
member should have some understanding that he If, for example, when asked what a bracha is, the Yachad member responds,
Can an advisor carry a cell phone on Shabbat in case of an emergency?
“It is a way of thanking Hashem,” that is sufficient. If, for example, he says
An advisor may carry a cell phone at
“The Torah was given to us by Hashem,” or “The Torah teaches us what
Yachad events. The advisor should
Hashem wants us to do,” that is sufficient.
do so unobtrusively, but should not
is praying to G-d and some notion of what the Torah is.
hesitate to call for emergency help if there is concern that the Yachad
Based on some dietary restrictions, some members are unable to wait between eating milk and meat. How should advisors proceed?
member may require such help.
Because of the halachic status of Yachad members, as defined above, and certainly if there are specific health reasons why waiting is in some way harmful, it is not necessary for them to wait between eating meat and milk. If possible, they should be encouraged to wait one hour, but if that is not possible, they need not wait at all.
Does shomer negiah apply when working with this population? Yachad staff of one gender may assist Yachad members of the opposite gender even if such assistance involves physical contact.
page 29
m o o r s s la C e h t o t e if L Bringing and the
e f i L o t m o Classro STUDENTS
at Yachad’s IVDU (Individualized
Vocational Development Unit) School enjoy a diverse education that includes a practical academic curriculum in addition to broad social programming and life skills opportunities. At IVDU we believe that the world is our classroom and that every step is an opportunity to learn something new. Whether it’s crossing through the tremendous gym, crossing the streets, or crossing the finish line with Team Yachad in the Miami Marathon, IVDU brought life into the classrooms and the classrooms to life. Social opportunities are a high priority at IVDU. We have worked hard to bridge and maintain relationships with peers
from other schools. Every week the IVDU Elementary School students participate with Shulamith School for Girls in an Erev Shabbat program; students in the Marilyn David IVDU Upper School participate in bi-weekly lunch-and-learn programs with students from Magen David Yeshiva High School and Yeshivat Shaarei Torah. The boys division also enjoys weekly swimming and ping-pong with students at the HaMesivta High School. Along with students from Yeshiva of Central Queens, Shulamith, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls and Yeshiva University High School
for
Girls
(Central), students in the elementary school and girls enjoyed
upper
school
Chanukah
parties, Purim carnivals, model Passover seders and Lag B’Omer activities. Our focus on social activities is not only
Team IVDU runners sing during Havdallah the night before the ING Miami Half Marathon
A+ about having fun; it includes learning about social responsibility and helping others. The elementary school students learned about the importance of doing chesed (acts of kindness), for others by visiting a local nursing home during the school year. The Marilyn David IVDU Upper School students visit a soup kitchen on a weekly basis to help those in need of a warm meal. Following superstorm Sandy, students visited some of the hardest hit areas in New York and assisted families in preserving what they could and removing rubble from badly damaged homes in Oceanside and the Rockaways. These programs furthered our students’ sense of communal responsibility and participation. The IVDU curriculum also has a strong focus on life skills. Elementary school students met with a dentist to learn about oral hygiene and with an animal specialist to learn about the habitats and behaviors of an assortment of animals, including common pets. Additionally, many classes learned about depositing and withdrawing funds through visits to local banks. Students at the Marilyn David IVDU Upper School also enjoyed many real life experiences throughout the school year. The weekly vocational training program has exposed students to a variety of professional environments, including museum programs, office work, childcare, plumbing, technology and entrepreneurship. Students also learned about financial literacy through fundraising, excursions and a model economic system within the school building. Friends, family members and caregivers of IVDU students clearly see the growth each student experiences over the course of the school year. Students use what they learned in their classrooms throughout the rest of their lives. IVDU Elementary School, Marilyn David IVDU Upper School Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions are branches of Yachad/NJCD
page 31
Inclusion
What
out active sion is all ab lu c in e, m To r at wheneve It means th s. es en ar aw e t, I make th environmen I’m in a new eech and actions, my sp y m ith w — effort to engage language — dy bo y m even conversation d keep the everyone an y first if that’s not m t there, even ou f el ys m g puttin s left out. balanced. It’s re no one feel su e ak m to der thought, in or
Inc
lusion is w hen one feels a sens e of belong ing and respect and is trea ted as a valued member of a community. Inclusion is when there is a suppor tive energy and co m mitment from others so that each individu al can thrive in his or her surroundings .
Jeremy Joszef
Aliza GnioorttYalicheadbCoordinator, Teaneck, NJ
Director, Cam p Morasha Woodmere, N Y
New York Se
Inclusion rking. I’m
getting experience at my job every day; I get to run the store and be the boss.
It’s not as easy as peop le think, but I like it when I get the job done.
Elliot Wittert
Yachad Member, Store
beyond
r Molly Snydeern , San Diego, CA
(placed through JU F/ Yachad Vocational Ser vices) Queens, NY
is
at
its
best
vidual ly every indi when not on ity to the opportun is afforded gains t each person participate, bu ce. One her’s presen from the ot times inspirational of the most wick, is of East Bruns el ra Is g un the Yo in our shul, our lives are ton. We feel ba ab Sh ad ch the annual Ya bers. e Yachad mem enriched by th
einsteink, NJ Rabbi JaIsrayel W wic of East Bruns Rabbi, Young
seeing
been a privilege.
Manager
Inclusion
means
a person for who disability and seeing I arrived at Yachad I they truly are. When with individuals with had never worked ter spending a year disabilities before. Af . duals with disabilities as if I work with indivi here, I still don’t feel ng o are interesti , up of individuals wh gro e iqu un a th wi I work onate with their own caring and compassi d, kin , tric en ecc , ny fun s ng with my clients ha everyone else. Worki set of challenges like
It feels good to be wo
page 32
Means to Me
Yachad Social Work Int School of Social Work Columbia University
Inclusion prevents the isolation that can be felt by the family of a child with a disabilit y.
It ensures the child and fam ily have a place in the commun ity, creating a feeling of security and acceptance. There is nothing as
important and precious as one ’s perception of self-worth. Yachad’s gift to its members and families is showing how much they are valued regardless of physical or developmental limitatio ns.
Raizel Grossman
Yachad Parent, Spring Valley, NY
ce Seif
IFS
Community
engagement
israel free spirit
EvEryonE knows our famous OU Kosher
That’s ou, Too!
symbol — it’s on half a million products — but the Orthodox Union is much more than kosher.
• Thousands of TEEns discover their Jewish
roots through NCSY.
• young JLIC CoupLEs on 16 secular college
campuses help students maintain their Torah observance.
• In sTaTE CapIToLs and Washington,
D.C., the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs advocates for tuition relief and other Jewish needs.
• ThE ou Job board helps thousands find
meaningful work.
• yaChad champions the inclusion of children
and adults with disabilities into the full spectrum of Jewish life.
• pLus Karasick Synagogue Services, OU
Press, Jewish Action, Community Services, our Israel Center and so much more.
The Orthodox Union. Enhancing Jewish life. See for yourself at www.ou.org
Did you know… Yachad is celebrating its 30th bIrThdaY this year! on average, 40,000+ commUnITY members and participating peers experience Yachad programming each year 52 individuals with disabilities Traveled To Israel with Taglit-birthright Israel in summer 2012 and Winter 2013 more than 750 maraThon rUnners around the world have proudly worn “Team Yachad” jerseys as they ran to raise funds for Yachad ThoUsands of sTUdenTs in more than 100+ schools across the Us have benefited from Yachad sensitivity training for school-aged children In march 2013 Yachad hosted a Job faIr with more than 500 participants resulting in at least 38 individuals finding employment Yachad has 18 chapTers across the Us, canada and Israel In summer 2012 Yachad enabled 210 campers, 52 typical high school students and 147 staff members to participate in 9 dIfferenT sUmmer programs. In summer 2013 Yachad will be partnering with 5 new summer camps our Way sponsors shabbatonim and provides support and resoUrces To 1,500 JeWIsh deaf across the nation Yachad travels to WashIngTon, d.c. to lobby congress for pro dIsabIlITY legIslaTIon
There are many ways that you can help and support these important programs and services, visit www.yachad.org for more information
30 Yachad Is an agencY of The orThodox UnIon
