Blog - Page 10 of 18

A Miraculous Bar Mitzvah You Don’t Want to Miss

Five years ago, I was in a store when an eight-year-old boy from our community saw me, came over, and said one word: “Rabbi.” The encounter not seeming all that unusual, I didn’t think anything of it until later that evening when the boy’s mother texted me to say that I had witnessed a miracle. […]

36 Under 36: Tikvah Juni, Public Face Of Inclusion Advocacy

Editor’s Note: At the “New Normal,” we’re excited that two of this year’s “36 Under 36″winners work for more inclusion of people with disabilities. We’re sharing one of the profiles today: When Tikvah Juni was 16, she received her first standing ovation. “I remember all the people, cheering and smiling,” said Juni, who had been the guest […]

A Very Special Gift

What could be better than giving a charming and unique gift to someone you care about? Doing that while, at the same time, helping Yachad members gain skills that will provide an opportunity for competitive employment. The Jewish Union Foundation, an affiliate of Yachad, established YachadGifts.com, which offers an exciting assortment of gifts and gift […]

Frozen And As Warm As Can Be

It was cold and snowy outside but comfortable and warm inside the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School auditorium on March 27th. An inclusive production of Frozen played before a packed house of enthusiastic theatergoers. The high school students and Yachad members performed together seamlessly as the story of the two royal sisters played out with […]

A Serving of Success, by Michael Orbach

If you spend time this summer at Bnei Akiva’s Camp Moshava in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, you probably won’t pay much attention to the waiter serving your meal. He’ll be bringing you plates of food while he serves three other tables amidst the hubbub of children eating, playing, and laughing in the air-conditioned dining room. Maybe you’ll […]

YYLC: Making Things Happen

Yachad Youth Leadership Council: Educational Advocacy Track Kyra Englander, YYLC President The educational advocacy track of the Yachad Youth Leadership Council (YYLC) is made up of twenty-four extremely creative, insightful, and passionate high school students who want to make a difference. Through many discussions and meetings, we choose a plan of activities that will spread […]

Yachad's Relationship Building Course: A Supportive Environment to Learn Social Skills

By Zvi Volk Everyone gets upset or angry from time to time. The context may be school, work, personal or family relationships. Social skills help to navigate these challenges of everyday life. Now imagine how your anger affects your behavior if you are simultaneously struggling with a disability — any disability. This is the setting […]

An Interview with Cleveland Yachad's Sara Cooperman

By Grace Berman Sara Cooperman is one of Yachad’s most inspirational staff members. She effortlessly juggles a full-time job, busy family life, and co-coordinating Yachad’s Cleveland chapter among many other endeavors. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm are key to the success of her chapter. Cleveland chapter supervisor Benjy Leibowitz describes Sara as, “Fun, creative, hard-working, […]

A Place of His Own

When Avi Polin became the proud renter of his own apartment in Staten Island this past December, it was the first time the Jewish Union Foundation assisted with a single living space subsidized by New York State’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The Monsey native had moved to Staten Island to live with […]

Traditional Services vs Self-Direction: Choosing One, the Other...or Both?

By Batya Rosner We are very lucky to be living in a time when there are so many services and programs available for those with special needs. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide which are best for an individual. Meet David. David is eligible for a range of services from New York State’s Office […]