Hi, my name is Avigail Orlofsky. I want to tell you a little bit about why I chose YBY. When I was three years old my little sister Elana was born. She is a adorable, sassy little red head who loves swimming and gymnastics. She also happens to have DS. From a very young age my parents have taught me that no matter who you are and how God created you, everyone deserves to be included. Since my sister was born, I’ve been very involved in making sure that she has felt included: whether it be in school, camp, or just day to day life. As time went on, I started participating in Friendship circle, because there is no Yachad where I live. I also have worked very closely this year with another girl who has DS . She is going into 5th grade now, loves to sing and dance, and is equally as sassy as her partner in crime, my sister. I would take her to Davening every day and help her with the Tefillot. It was the highlight of my day every day. As you can probably tell, my whole life is pretty much surrounded by inclusion- or so I thought. Before coming on YBY, I had this image of inclusion in my mind that I have been using ever since I was three and Elana was born. But that all changed when I actually came on the trip. When I look around the room and see how we are ביחד, it puts a huge smile on my face. Seeing every day how circles expand seamlessly so nobody is left out, watching people who normally would never talk to each other, realize that the other is a great person, and understanding how much אחדות we all have, no matter if you are on trip one, or trip two, shows me that inclusion is really just being a friend. It’s something so natural that most of the time, you don’t even notice it. Another amazing part of this trip is the staff. There is no doubt in my mind that without the hard work, dedication, and שמחה of the staff, this trip would not be as fantastic as it is. All of this gives me hope that Elana does and will have friends that really love her and include her, even through she may not look or speak the same as them. And who knows, maybe when she’s old enough, she will be lucky enough to come on this amazing program just like I was lucky enough to do. Now, looking back at my first week and a half of the summer I can say that my image of inclusion has shifted. I will be taking the things I have learned, back to my community so they can also understand what inclusion really means: everyone, no matter who they are, is worthy of being included. Thank you YBY, for giving me a summer that really will alter my life forever. I am eternally grateful.