Blog - Page 12 of 20

Learning From Inclusion

Learning From Inclusion, by Sharon Shapiro Editor’s note: This is our 400th blog post! In honor of this milestone, we asked Sharon Shapiro, Ruderman Family Foundation Trustee and Boston office director, to reflect on her work in the community over the past four years. When my family first ventured into addressing disability issues with our […]

Local among Yachad’s Daner Fellows

Amanda Parker of Englewood, a New York University graduate, was named one of three of Yachad’s Daner Communal Fellows. The fellows were chosen from 30 applicants from across North America. Yachad, the flagship program of the Orthodox Union’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities, provides social, educational, and recreational programs for people with learning, developmental, and […]

Yachad Announces Its New Daner Communal Fellows For 2015-16, Program Begins Late July

Yachad’s Daner Communal Fellowship has selected three outstanding recent college graduates to serve as Fellows for the 2015-2016 programmatic year, beginning in late July. They are Amanda Parker from Englewood, New Jersey, graduate of New York University; Rachel Samuels from Roslyn Heights, New York, graduate of Binghamton University; and Yossi Szpigiel of West Hempstead, New […]

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 […]