Because Everybody Belongs–Ensuring That Individuals with Special Needs Are Included

The Torah teaches that every Jew is created B’Tzelem Elokim, in Hashem’s image and must be an accepted part of the synagogue, school, and greater community. But are we as Klal Yisrael successful in accomplishing this goal? Do our children and adults with special needs truly feel accepted by their fellow Jews? When they walk into shul are they welcome or just tolerated? How does the Kahal make the rest of the family feel?

Join two of Yachad’s professional staff who have lived this experience with their own children: the ups and downs, the highlights and the disappointments.  In the process, we can learn together how to open our community and our hearts to accepting every Jew! 

Presented by:

Amanda Levy, LCSW, Clinical Director of Yachad

Batya Jacob, Development Executive of Yachad

Rabbi David Cohen, National Director of Community Engagement

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

We have created a new SPIRIT website with archives and upcoming programs! Now you can watch all of the SPIRIT presentations-geared toward retirees- on subjects such as history to exercise to mental health, all in one place! 

CLICK HERE to enjoy past programs on-demand at your convenience!

The information provided by the OU SPIRIT program is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice on any legal/medical/nutritional/mental health/ financial/halachic or other subject matter.  You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of the information you learn during a SPIRIT program without seeking legal/medical/nutritional/mental health/financial/Rabbinic or other appropriate professional advice.

Partnering Synagogues:
Anshei Chesed Congregation, Boynton Beach (FL)
Anshei Emuna Congregation, Delray Beach (FL)
Beth David Synagogue, West Hartford (CT)
Bialystoker Synagogue, New York (NY)
B’nai Israel-Ohev Zedek, Philadelphia (PA)
Congregation Agudath Sholom, Stamford (CT)
Congregation Ahavas Sholom, Columbus (OH)
Congregation Aitz Chaim, West Palm Beach (FL)
Congregation Anshe Sfard, New Orleans (LA)
Congregation Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah, Glendale (WI)
Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, Wynnewood (PA)
Congregation Beth Ora, Montreal (QUE)
Congregation Beth Sholom, Providence (RI)
Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck (NJ)
Congregation Etz Chaim of Kew Gardens Hills (NY)
Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, New York (NY)
Congregation Ohav Zedek, Wilkes-Barre (PA)
Congregation Tiferet Israel, Austin (TX)
Congregation Torah Ohr, Boca Raton (FL)
Congregation Zvi Jacob, Utica (NY)
Darchei Noam, Minneapolis (MN)
East Denver Orthodox Synagogue (EDOS), Denver (CO)
Fleetwood Synagogue, Fleetwood (NY)
Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach (NY)
Kehillat New Hempstead (NY)
Kehillat Shaarei Torah of Toronto (ONT)
Keneseth Beth Israel, Richmond (VA)
Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue, Baltimore (MD)
Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim, Baltimore (MD)
Suburban Torah, Livingston (NJ)
United Orthodox Synagogues, Houston (TX)
Young Israel of Bal Harbour, Surfside (FL)
Young Israel of Brookline (MA)
Young Israel of Deerfield Beach (FL)
Young Israel of East Brunswick (NJ)
Young Israel of Elkins Park (PA)
Young Israel of Fort Lee (NJ)
Young Israel of Hillcrest (NY)
Young Israel of Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale (FL)
Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills (NY)
Young Israel of New Hyde Park (NY)
Young Israel of Plainview (NY)
Young Israel of Queens Valley (NY)
Young Israel of Southfield (MI)
Young Israel of Stamford (CT)
Young Israel of West Hartford (CT)

OU Privacy Policy For all questions or to become a Partnering Synagogue, please contact Rebbetzin Judi Steinig, steinigj@ou.org