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By Reuvena Leah Grodnitzky - Chabad.org

Lt. Gov. David Charles Onley of Ontario, right, presented the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto's Inclusion Initiative Award to Esther Grossbaum, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Toronto, and Chaya Perman, coordinator of the local Friendship Circle.

Toronto's local Jewish federation singled out the Friendship Circle, a Chabad-Lubavitch organization that partners teenage volunteers with children with special needs, for its work making sure that children of all abilities participate in communal activities.

Toronto Federation Highlights Children With Special Needs

By Reuvena Leah Grodnitzky – Chabad.org

Lt. Gov. David Charles Onley of Ontario, right, presented the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Inclusion Initiative Award to Esther Grossbaum, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Toronto, and Chaya Perman, coordinator of the local Friendship Circle.

Toronto’s local Jewish federation singled out the Friendship Circle, a Chabad-Lubavitch organization that partners teenage volunteers with children with special needs, for its work making sure that children of all abilities participate in communal activities.

Some 150 people attended the Feb. 26 ceremony awarding the local Friendship Circle and three other organizations the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Inclusion Initiative Award. The federation fielded some 21 nominations for the honor, which was awarded based on groups’ demonstrated impact, innovation and sustainability in inclusion in their work with the special needs community.

“The UJA is dedicated to bring the importance of physical and social inclusion to the attention of the Jewish community,” said Stanley Kugelmass, chair of the federation’s inclusion initiative. “We laud the individuals and organizations that have accomplished this [inclusion] and have made inroads in this matter, and we are committed to further this endeavor.”

For the five-year-old Friendship Circle, the award marks greater communal sensitivity to those with special needs.

Article continued (Chabad.org News)

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9 Comments

  • Torornto FC volunteer

    YA! GO TORONTO!!!!
    Thanx Mrs. Perman and Grossbaum for everything!

  • Toronto FC volenteer

    Freindship Circle Toronto DEFINITELY rocks!…only becase of Mrs. Perman and Mrs. Grossbaum. Thanx for everything!

    mushky, “hullo” nechami on ch.info!

  • your border kids!!!!

    mrs perman, your work is AMAZING!!! we are so proud of you!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! luv, your ‘children’