Taglit-Birthright Israel in Conjunction with OU’s Yachad To Offer Its Next Trip to Israel, Jan 9-20

27 Dec 2007

TAGLIT-BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ORTHODOX UNION’S YACHAD, TO OFFER ITS NEXT TRIP TO ISRAEL FOR YOUNG JEWISH ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, JANUARY 9 TO JANUARY 20

Taglit-birthright israel, which is well known for its free educational trips for young Jewish adults who have never been to Israel, will present a very special trip for 27 young men and women with disabilities (ages 18 to 26) from January 9 to January 20, in conjunction with the Orthodox Union’s Yachad program for the developmentally disabled. Because of its expertise and great success, Yachad was the first group authorized to participate with people with disabilities in birthright Israel, and since then has paved the way for others. There have already been several Taglit-birthright israel/Yachad trips.

The participants come from all over the United States, including New York, Chicago, California, and Utah, and from a wide range of Jewish observance. The participants also have a wide variety of disabilities, including mild to moderate developmental disabilities; Down’s Syndrome; neurological impairments; learning disabilities; and visual impairment (partial blindness).

“This trip gives people with disabilities the same opportunities as everyone else,” said Yehuda Charm, Coordinator of Taglit-birthright israel/Yachad programs. “Yachad participants are Jewish so of course they should – and should be able to – see Israel.”

To assist the young people on their travels, Yachad will send 10 trained professionals, which is more staff than is typically allotted to birthright israel trips.

The young people will have a full program, including:

Thursday, January 10 – Tour of the Old City, visit to the Burnt House and Davidson Center, Mincha services at the Kotel;

Friday, January 11 – Yad Vashem;

Saturday, January 12 – special Motzei Shabbat programming;

Sunday, January 13 – Masada, Ein Gedi, travel to Eilat;

Monday, January 14 – Swimming and Jeep riding;

Tuesday, January 15 – Visit to David Ben Gurion’s grave, Dead Sea, travel to Jersalem;

Wednesday, January 16 – Dig for a Day, Latrun, Mini Israel;

Thursday, January 17 – Independence Hall, Azrieli Center, Rabin Square;

Friday, January 18 – Israel Museum, or Mt. Herzl, Ben Yehuda shopping, prepare for Shabbat;

Saturday, January 19 – special Motzei Shabbat final banquet;

Sunday, January 20 – depart for home.

One of the highlights of the trip is the visit of five Israeli soldiers, who will accompany the group for five days.

Registration is closed for the January trip, but there will be another Taglit-birthright israel/Yachad trip in the late spring or early summer. For more information, contact Yehuda Charm at 212-613-8223 or charmy@ou.org.