December 12, 2005

Spotlight on Yachad:
Yachad and Yeshivah of Flatbush High School to Join in Inspiring Chanukah Musical Production

Yachad/NJCD, an agency of the Orthodox Union, whose mission is to promote and facilitate inclusion for people with disabilities, will return to the stage at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School for the third straight year, for their annual musical presentation. The free performance will take place on Wednesday, December 28, the fourth night of Chanukah, at 7:30 p.m. at the school, 1609 Avenue J in Brooklyn.

Yachad members, who have developmental disabilities, and Yeshivah students will join together in Noah! Ride the Wave!, which will be performed by the Flatbush students in easily understood Hebrew. According to Rabbi Naftali Besser, Dean of Students, “Once again the Yeshivah of Flatbush is so happy to welcome back Yachad to the annual Chanukah chagiga, (celebration).”

“Yachad,” the flagship program of the Orthodox Union’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), provides unique social and inclusive educational and recreational programs for individuals with developmental, learning and physical disabilities.

Yachad members will be included as members of the chorus, participate in the Chanukah candle lighting ceremony, and enjoy supper and Israeli dancing with the community, in what is certain to be a moving and inspiring program.

“The play we do with Yeshivah of Flatbush High School each year is an amazing but unsung accomplishment,” declared Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, Director of Yachad/NJCD. “Twenty years ago our community did not acknowledge the existence of people with disabilities. These young adults with developmental disabilities will join high school students from the Yeshivah of Flatbush on stage in an integrated performance of Noah, Ride the Wave! This remarkable event will profoundly impact the lives of the participants. It is a positively phenomenal reflection on our community, the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School and Yachad.”

According to Michael Greenberg, a senior at the school and the student playing the starring role of Noah, “No Flatbush event is complete without Yachad members. They're here all the time - for parties, learning, lunch, dancing - and they add so much to everything in which they participate. Their enthusiasm adds to ours, their positive outlook makes us happy, and the enjoyment they get from our shared activities makes those activities even more meaningful.”

“Chessed, acts of kindness, is an integral aspect of the Yeshivah of Flatbush education both inside and outside the classroom, and this production with Yachad is one way that chessed is very much in evidence,” said Rabbi Besser.

For more information contact the Yeshivah of Flatbush at 718-377-1100.

* * *

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 409,000 products manufactured in 83 countries around the globe.

www.ou.org

Comments? Requests? Questions?

Orthodox Union Department of Communications and Marketing David Olivestone Director Stephen Steiner Director of Public Relations Main Office: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212.613.8318 Fax: 212-613-0763 E-mail: steiners@ou.org  |  media@ou.org

OUPR Archives Recent statements to the press: 2003  |  2002  |  2001  |  2000  |  1999  |  1998