JDYCF is intended to shape emerging leaders who are planning careers in social work, psychology, medicine, education, not-for-profit management, development, public relations, policy planning or organizational leadership; or those who hope to serve the broad Jewish community in a lay leadership capacity. "Please God, each year there will be a new cadre of Daner Communal Fellows and they will have the privilege, in some small way, of knowing that hopefully they are learning, if you will, to become Joel Daners," noted Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, international director of Yachad. Yachad seeks applicants with a strong interest in social services and disability advocacy. Applicants may be on any career path. Candidates must also be concerned about, and dedicated to, the global Jewish community. “We are looking for focused and motivated individuals who
Top: Selma Daner speaking at Yachad's 30th Anniversary Dinner
possess a vision for what they want to accomplish and the drive to perform,” said Eli Hagler, Yachad’s associate director. “Our goal is to provide our fellows with the opportunity and guidance to develop, establish, and implement a plan that will create a lasting impact on Yachad and the global Jewish community.” Fellows function as full time Yachad staff members, working out of the Orthodox Union’s national headquarters in lower Manhattan. Fellows are assigned a primary mentor — a staff member under whose tutelage and guidance they will directly carry out their diverse range of duties within the agency. Additional mentors will provide integrated training and experiential opportunities in other areas as needed. Together, the mentoring team will offer opportunities for the fellow to acquire proficiency in disability culture and Jewish organizational leadership.
Meet the Inaugural Fellows
Right: Our Fellows with Dr. Jeff Lichtman, Richard M. Joel, Selma Daner and Ken Saibel
Robbie Grad As an aspiring physician, I not only want to provide excellent medical care for my patients, but hope to be involved in health policy and advocacy as well. For this reason, I decided it would be an invaluable opportunity to work at Yachad where I have endeavored to shape the world toward my ideal of inclusion. I believe working for Yachad has provided the tools necessary to continue this pursuit throughout my career and help me develop the ability to create change in other sectors. As a Da n e r f e l l o w , I a m f o c u s i n g o n community and school outreach where I empower our young leaders and create sensitivity in our schools.
Nomi Gofine As a fellow, I primarily work with Yachad’s Birthright trips and New York Yachad’s so cial and recreational programming. Much of my focus is from the clinical services perspective, as well as working with Yachad’s advocacy department. I have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges those individuals with disabilities and their families face, and how to effectively address them as an agent of change. I plan on pursuing a joint degree in law and social work when my fellowship comes to an end.
Stephanie Weprin I am using my role as a fellow to help Yachad continue its amazing work for the special needs community, specifically by working in vocational training as well as development and fundraising. I believe that this position will serve as a stepping-stone to my future in healthcare by allowing me to interact with so many people, especially a group that I feel so strongly about. Yachad is an amazing organization and I’m extremely honored to be a part of the team.
BELONG 2015-2016
7