TWO OU SYNAGOGUES WITH YACHAD TIES WIN UJA-FEDERATION INCLUSION AWARDS: LINCOLN SQUARE AND HEBREW INSTITUTE OF RIVERDALE GAIN HONORS
Two Orthodox Union member congregations, Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan and the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, were recipients of Synagogue Inclusion Awards presented by UJA-Federation of New York’s Caring Commission to mark the celebration in February of the organization’s Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month in the New York metropolitan area.
This celebration coincides with the designation of February as NAIM – North American Inclusion Month — by Yachad | Jewish Disabilities Integration/NJCD, the OU’s program for individuals with learning, developmental and physical disabilities. The two OU synagogues, which were among the eight that received the award, organized programs together with Yachad.
According to UJA-Federation in its announcement, Lincoln Square Synagogue “hosts awareness-raising events with members of the congregation and outside speakers discussing issues such as the experience of learning disabled children in the (Jewish) day school system, and the challenges of raising an autistic child.”
The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale “held a Yachad Shabbaton for disabled and typically-developing teenagers to learn and hang out together.”
Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, National Director of Yachad NJCD said, “We enjoy a long and rich association with these two synagogues. It is gratifying to us when we see synagogues and other communal institutions recognized for their activities and commitment to becoming fully Inclusive. We look forward to working with other synagogues, assisting them to emulate Lincoln Square and the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, in helping everyone belong.”
Dr. Lichtman added, “A great way to begin or continue is with the PowerPoint Megillat Esther reading, which allows the deaf and hearing impaired, elderly people and others to participate and enjoy the Megillah reading and Purim celebration.”
For more information on Power Point Megillah, contact Batya Jacob at 212-613-8127 or Jacob@ou.org.
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