Jewish Union Foundation (JUF), in conjunction with Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities, will be hosting a Creative Arts Fair on Lag Ba’Omer featuring artwork and showcasing talents of individuals with special needs. The fair will be held on Sunday, May 18 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the IVDU Girls School, 1277 East 14th Street in Brooklyn.
Artwork will be available for purchase. The event will include live music, dancing and sports tournaments in celebration of Lag Ba’Omer, the festive 33rd day of the fifty-day count between the second night of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot.
The Jewish Union Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the independence of individuals with developmental disabilities, enabling them to better participate in the full spectrum of life.
Yachad, the flagship program of the Orthodox Union’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), provides unique social, educational, summer camp, clinical, and recreational programs for individuals with learning, developmental and physical disabilities with the goal of their inclusion in the total life of the Jewish community.
“The Creative Arts Fair is a means of showcasing the wonderful talents individuals with special needs have in the creative arts field,” says Jack Gourdji, Executive Director of JUF. “Individuals showcasing their talents at this event are being asked because we believe their talents are of high quality and substance and on par with creative art work and performances of ‘mainstream society.’
“For the individuals showcasing their talents, it is a means of reaching an audience they otherwise could not reach. For those attending the fair, it our hope they walk away in amazement at the vast amount of talent that exists within the disability population. Of course, since it will be Lag Ba’Omer, there will be plenty of food and sports activities too!”
Artists or performers with special needs who would be interested in featuring their work at the event should contact jufjobs@ou.org.