Flashback to 1983. What does the Jewish community look like for people with disabilities?

For some it was being asked to leave services because they were too distracting. For others it was never having a bar mitzvah because it was assumed they could not learn to read Torah. For some it was spending Shabbat afternoon at home alone because no one ever invited them for a meal. For others it meant never having the opportunity to travel to Israel.

For most people with disabilities, there was no opportunity to meaningfully participate in Jewish communal life.

Our community has seen significant change over the past 35 years. There are now inclusive summer programs and trips to Israel that enable people with disabilities to participate. More and more synagogues have moved to make their physical space accessible. And community institutions are creating inclusion committees to make their programs more inclusive. Yet there is still work to be done.

We at New England Yachad have dedicated ourselves to collapsing barriers within the Jewish community. As the only International Jewish organization solely dedicated to inclusion, Yachad connects individuals of all ages and abilities, so that together we can actualize our greatest impact in the world.

Because of your friendship and support, this past year alone we have hosted over 400 inclusive social programs and activities, five Shabbatons (weekend retreats) and monthly programming for families. To top it off, this year we are opening the new Yachad Community Center!

Your gift will help New England Yachad provide:

When you donate you are supporting over 400 programs per year and helping us create a more inclusive Jewish community. In addition, just last week we launched our brand new Yachad Community Center, which will offer a place for people with and without disabilities to participate in social programs, evening classes, a drop-in center and Sunday programs for families, teens and adults.

Inclusive Young Adult Outdoor Adventure Club
Weekly Social/Skills groups
Shabbatons (Weekend retreats)
Inclusive Bowling League
Holiday Programs
High school and elementary school clubs
Monthly family programming
Summer camp and Israel trip programs
Family support services
And spread the message of inclusion throughout the New England Jewish Community

Make a now donation and your impact will be tripled by our generous campaign benefactors, The Ruderman Family Foundation, The Rosenzweig Family, and Amy and David Strachman.

New England Yachad Giving Day 2018

This campaign is not active