Greetings!
Summer is always a special time for Jewish young adults to get involved in their communities, make a difference, and explore new cultures. We think you'll be inspired by the stories of three such friends of JFS. Enjoy.
Sincerely,
Inna Ermakov and Lynn Rubenstein
Jewish Disabilities Network
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Teaching by Example
By Beth Horwitz
Beth Horwitz, a former special education teacher from New York, and her children, Stacee, Alana and Josh are making a difference in the lives of others in our community. Her ongoing message to them is that we all need to focus on creating positive energy, which we can give to others. Beth continually empowers her children to believe that they can make a difference in the lives of others. She teaches her children that their greatest power IS the power to be. To be more loving, to be more generous, to be more sensitive, to be more humble, to be more patient, and to be a greater human being. Recently, Beth's family was involved in helping a family who needed assistance with leaving their child (with a disability) in order to take care of a personal matter. Beth's son, Josh, saw the situation and stepped up to the plate, by offering them a respite time where they could drop their child off at a yogurt shop and the Horwitz family would provide activities while the parents had a chance to take care of the business they needed to do. Beth's family played games, did art projects and visited with the child by providing an advantageous and safe environment.
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Josh Horwitz and his new friend.
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Jewish Disabilities Network
Inclusion Initiative Pilot Project Program Yearly Summary
In January 2011, the Jewish Disabilities Network added a new dimension to its vast array of services. The JDN Inclusion Committee was created to provide guidance, support, and resources for Metro Denver Jewish organizations which strive for greater inclusion of people with disabilities. In the spring of 2012, three synagogues (Denver Synagogue, Temple Micah, B'nai Havurah) expressed an interest in engaging in a strategic organizational change process to become more inclusive of people with disabilities. In response to this interest, the JDN Inclusion Committee developed the two-year JDN pilot project program with the purpose of supporting, providing resources, and ensuring success of these three organizations.
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More Similarities Than You Might Expect
By Erik Helmstetter
When I was in fifth grade, my religious school class at B'nai Havurah went to the JFS Group Home and participated in activities with the adults there for a whole day. We played bingo, Memory, told stories, and ate snacks. When this "Social Action Sunday" was finished, one of the parents who chaperoned the visit told me that I seemed very comfortable around people who were "different" than me. I replied, "What do you mean? They're not different from me. I'm just myself around them and it's a lot of fun!"
After that experience, I knew that I had to incorporate working with people with developmental disabilities into my Bar Mitzvah project. I talked with Inna Ermakov at the Jewish Disabilities Network and we decided that the best fit for what I wanted to do was to participate in the monthly activities they have scheduled for adults with developmental disabilities.
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Exploring Israel
By Jason Kruger and parents Joyce and Robert Kruger
Jason Kruger went on a 10-day trip to Israel with a group called Yachad Free Spirit Birthright. The group was made up of special needs young adults and young adult staff from the Yachad National Jewish Council for Disabilities, which is based out of New York.
Their trip began with a visit to the aqueduct in Caesarea, a walk on the beach by the Mediterranean Sea, and a jeep ride in Etzba Hagalil. They enjoyed a drive through a farm where they saw fruit trees and vegetables growing. Israeli soldiers joined their group for five days and accompanied them as they explored Israel.
In the north, they went to Tzfat, which is Jewish mysticism's birthplace. From there, they took a boat ride on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). They also had the volunteer opportunity to clean wheel chairs at a center for people who cannot walk. The group tried new foods and were treated to a chocolate factory on a kibbutz. When it came time to make pizza, they made it outside on a hot stone.
 | Jason Kruger visits Israel with Yachad Free Spirit Birthright.
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