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 the 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 Yachad New York 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 50 inclusive social programs and activities, 30 Shabbatons (weekend retreats), and weekly Sunday learning/recreational programs.

This year Yachad New York is excited to be launching community based inclusive social programming in Brooklyn, Riverdale and Long Island. These programs will provide regular local programming for individuals with disabilities and their typically developing peers. Participants appreciate having something weekly to look forward to and the regularity of programs helps parents by providing respite.

Your gift will help Yachad New York provide:

Community based inclusive social programming
Weekly Social/Skills groups
Shabbatons (Weekend retreats)
Holiday Programs
High school clubs
4 day schools for students with special needs
Vocational Services
Family programming and support
Summer camp programs
And spread the message of inclusion throughout the New York Jewish Community

When you give now your impact will be tripled by our generous matchers, The Ruderman Family Foundation and The Orthodox Union Join us to celebrate the progress we have made over the past 36 years and show your commitment to moving forward. #36YearsOfInclusion

New York Yachad Giving Day 2018

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