National Jewish Council
for the Disabled Says, “Every Vote Counts”
Are you excited to vote? “Absolutely!,”
was the cry from the exuberant group of adults with developmental
disabilities who attended a voter registration colloquium sponsored by
the National Jewish Council for the Disabled (NJCD), an agency of the
Orthodox Union.
Apprehension was mixed with excitement as
the participants heard New York City Councilman Noach Dear’s chief of
staff, Alisa Rogosin, outline the history of voting and explain who the
candidates for the 2000 election are and what the process of voting
entails. Ms. Rogosin said, “This year you have an opportunity to
choose the leaders who best meet your expectations. It is important to
learn about the candidates and understand what they have to offer.”
The young adults were asked to list what
they thought their rights were. Their answers included freedom of
religion, freedom of speech and freedom to be themselves. Caryn Pollack,
who is developmentally disabled and also a full-time employee of the OU,
astutely asked how the government could help her friends find jobs and
make her life easier. Ms. Rogosin explained that whoever was voted into
office would have the power to institute legislation about issues that
directly affected topics such as employment for the developmentally
disabled as well as better access to programs and facilities.
Dr. Jeff Lichtman, National Director of
NJCD, explained, “In our effort to promote inclusion and
self-sufficiency, providing the opportunity to help our members vote in
a national election that will directly affect their lives is gratifying
and empowering – for us and for them.”
For more information about the NJCD
visit, www.ou.org/ncsy/njcd/default.htm or call 212-613-8229.
With more than 35 chapters throughout the
United States and Canada, the NJCD, an agency of the Orthodox Union, is
the only national resource center providing specialized guidance and
information as well as direct services to those in the Jewish
community who have special needs. Yachad,
a division of the NJCD, provides a wide
range of social, recreational and
religious programs, serving well over 1,500 children and adults with
developmental disabilities.
The Orthodox Union, now in its second
century of service to the Jewish community of America and beyond, is the
world leader in youth work, advocacy for persons with disabilities,
synagogue services, adult education and political action. Its kosher
supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol
and can be found on over 250,000 products in 68 countries around the
globe.
Note to Editor: Photos available upon
request
# # #
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 Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
of America
Department of Public Relations
Sharyn Perlman, Director
Main Office:
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Phone: 212-613-8321 Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail: media@ou.org |
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