Blog - Page 11 of 18

Reconnecting and Moving Forward

Many of us look back on our teen and college years fondly; we remember our friends and our activities with pride and Yachad has been a big part of so many of those fond, youthful memories. Since its inception in 1983, Yachad has brought together thousands of people in hundreds of communities throughout the United […]

Yachad 30th Anniversary Dinner, by Gwen Bloom

More than thirty years ago there was no Yachad. The idea of inclusion was not even on people’s minds since many had never met a person with developmental disabilities. Individuals with special needs were kept “out of sight” and consequently they truly were “out of mind.” The picture is so different today. Now, we see […]

Hard Work & A Helping Hand: Bezalel Kosofsky's Journey

By Gwen Bloom When asked if he would like to participate in an article for Belong magazine about his career path, Bezalel Kosofsky, a 32-year-old Yachad member emailed this note with great pride. “Since 2006, I have worked at Chestnut Holdings of New York, a real estate agency in Riverdale. At Chestnut Holdings, I am […]

Ariella Barker: A Lioness of God - No Matter What

By Bayla Sheva Brenner At the age of three, Ariella Barker was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic disorder marked by advanced muscle weakening and loss. Despite predictions that she wouldn’t be able to walk, SMA was no match for Ariella’s stalwart spirit. She walked, up until the age of eleven. And even then, […]

An Unexpected Celebration, by Batya Rosner

The moment arrived to call Josh Kadysiewicz to recite the blessings before the Torah as a bar mitzvah. At 26, the long awaited and eagerly welcomed opportunity was particularly moving as Josh found himself in Israel’s holy city of Tzfat surrounded by hometown pals and new friends on his Taglit-Birthright Israel: Israel Free Spirit Yachad […]

An Adventurous Life or a Meaningful Life, by Michael Silverman

Watching the film “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2014), I was a bit disappointed to find no moral at the end — or was there a moral? Mitty is an average guy who has a boring life, a boring job, and a bad habit of daydreaming about imaginary adventures (that constantly get him into […]

Yad B'Yad: Inclusion & Friendship Know No Borders

By Batya Rosner Some of life’s most important moments occur when you take someone’s hand and begin your journey together. Many toddlers take their first steps hand in hand with a parent. Newlyweds start their lives together, literally or figuratively, hand in hand. Hebrew for hand in hand, Yad B’Yad (YBY) is one of Yachad’s […]

No Way But Forward

The Extraordinary Life of Richard Bernstein By Bayla Sheva Brenner Richard Bernstein, Michigan’s newly-elected Supreme Court justice, has never let anything stand in his way. As a former Detroit-based powerhouse attorney, he took on airlines, airports, universities, the American Bar Association, and the Department of Transportation in both Detroit and New York City in order […]

The Able Act Becomes Law

It is the American dream to work hard to get ahead. We all want to move up the ladder and do our best. Until recently, those with special needs were unfairly discouraged from saving for the future but, thanks to a new federal law, this is no longer the case. Yachad’s families applaud the passage […]

A Yachad Family, by Gwen Bloom

Meet David and Nicki, Max, Jake, Ariana, and Mackenzie Taller – a genuine Yachad family. The Tallers epitomize not only the literal meaning but also the spirit of Yachad in the truest sense. They face challenges, joy, and most anything that comes their way b’Yachad – together – as one. Max, Jake, and Ariana are […]