YACHAD COMES TO ISRAEL WITH NEW CHAPTER IN JERUSALEM FOR THE INCLUSION OF ALL JEWS WITH DISABILITIES
Yachad | Jewish Disabilities Integration/the National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), an agency of the Orthodox Union, today announced that for the first time, it will bring its programming to Israel, with the opening of a chapter based in Jerusalem. According to Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, NJCD National Director, this action was taken as part of a expansion to meet the Jewish community’s increasing demands for social and recreational Inclusive programming, whether in North America or in Israel.
For years, the OU has had a presence in Israel with its Seymour J. Abrams OU Israel Center on Rehov Keren Hayesod in Jerusalem.
Yoel Sterman and Lisa Rich serve as the Israel Chapter Coordinators. Both Yoel and Lisa have extensive experience working for the Inclusion of all Jews with disabilities. They have each worked in modern Orthodox camps in the United States where Yachad has social and recreational programming.
Yachad/NJCD is a non-profit agency dedicated to enhancing the opportunities of individuals with disabilities, promoting Inclusion through various integrated activities and ensuring their participation in the full spectrum of Jewish life.
Dr. Lichtman stated, “Having done extraordinary work in North America, Yachad now brings its expertise and programming to Israel in order to promote Inclusion there. We are grateful to be partnering with incredibly talented people in Israel and know that b’yachad, together, we will continue to enhance the lives of not only the members who will be served in this community, but also the lives of all of the members of the Jewish community.”
There are 16 Yachad chapters in North America: Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Cleveland; Columbus, OH; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Houston; Greater New York; Los Angeles; New Jersey; Omaha; Silver Spring, Md. (Washington, D.C.); South Florida; and Toronto.
For more information, contact israelyachad@ou.org.
OU | Enhancing Jewish Life