Yad B’Yad Girls, Inclusive Summer Trip to Israel, Opens Registration

 

New York, NY, OCT 24, 2017 — Yachad is excited to announce Yad B’Yad Girls, a new girls-only version of its signature Israel travel program for summer 2018.

 

Yad B’Yad (https://www.yachad.org/yby/) is Yachad’s summer travel program in Israel for young adults with and without disabilities. The group travels throughout the country connecting to Israel, learning and volunteering. The program has a strong leadership component and overall focus on forming friendships. After a fabulous summer together in Israel, participants return with a diverse group of friends and increased commitment to inclusion.

 

This is the first year that Yad B’Yad, now in its 20th year, is offering a girls-only trip. The previous trips have been coed. “We hope this new all girls Yad B’Yad trip will help expand YBY’s reach and bring inclusive programming to a wider audience,” said Rebecca Schrag Mayer, Director, Yad B’Yad.

 

What makes this trip unique is its commitment to social inclusion. Participants will have an orientation in New York before flying to Israel, which will give the group a chance to mesh before arriving in Israel.

 

While the trip’s participants connect to Israel, experience leadership training, enjoy touring, and engage in meaningful volunteer work and learning, inclusion is the trip’s top goal: All of the activities are accessible to everyone on the trip (even ziplining, boating, and rafting). Rooming is inclusive. The goal for all participants, whether they have disabilities or not, is simply to have fun and make friends.

 

“Even if our participants have been to Israel before, seeing it though the inclusive lens of Yad B’Yad is a completely new experience,” said Rebecca Schrag Mayer, Director.

 

Yad B’Yad is in many ways the start of a lifelong journey. Alumni stay connected to Yachad through reunions, shabbatons, future summer opportunities, school clubs, and more. Through the girls-only Yad B’Yad trip, participants will develop meaningful continuing relationships.

 

Yad B’Yad Girls trip is scheduled from July 8 to August 12 and is open to applicants from the US and Canada. Registration is now open, and spots fill up fast. To register or for more information, visit https://www.yachad.org/yby/ or call 212-613-8369.

 

To see Yad B’Yad’s promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUlohw5dsDo.