volunteers with children with special needs,
brought 35 young adults from the United
States to Israel for the second time in as
many years.
Founded in Michigan more than 15 years ago, the Friendship Circle has garnered international attention for its home visit programs, workshops, and other initiatives that help individuals with special needs maximize their potential. Providing an outlet for Jewish learning and expression is a strong part of the Friendship Circle, explained Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, director of the Friendship Circle of MetroWest, N.J., so it was only natural that as the Birthright family of tours continued to grow, staff would look for ways to include the special-needs population.
“The mission of the Friendship Circle has always been to enable those with special needs to fully participate in the Jewish community and enjoy the same experiences that are available to the mainstream population,” said Grossbaum. “Why should the Israel experience be any different?”
Mayanot Tours Israel with Young Adults with Special Needs
volunteers with children with special needs,
brought 35 young adults from the United
States to Israel for the second time in as
many years.
Almost three dozen U.S. young adults with special needs wrapped up a unique tour of the Holy Land, the second time in as many years the Friendship Circle – a Chabad-Lubavitch network of programs that pairs teenage volunteers with children with special needs – has worked to make the free tours provided by Taglit-Birthright Israel available to its constituents.
Founded in Michigan more than 15 years ago, the Friendship Circle has garnered international attention for its home visit programs, workshops, and other initiatives that help individuals with special needs maximize their potential. Providing an outlet for Jewish learning and expression is a strong part of the Friendship Circle, explained Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, director of the Friendship Circle of MetroWest, N.J., so it was only natural that as the Birthright family of tours continued to grow, staff would look for ways to include the special-needs population.
“The mission of the Friendship Circle has always been to enable those with special needs to fully participate in the Jewish community and enjoy the same experiences that are available to the mainstream population,” said Grossbaum. “Why should the Israel experience be any different?”
Several years ago, Rabbi Zev Baram, director of the Friendship Circle in Philadelphia, Grossbaum and the directors of several other U.S. chapters approached Rabbi Avi Weinstein, director of the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Study’s Birthright programs, about organizing a trip specifically for young adults with special needs. The institute embraced the idea, planning an itinerary sensitive to participants’ needs and based on Mayanot’s high-intensity 10-day whirlwind tour.
In March 2008, 25 participants traveled to Israel as part of the first-ever Friendship Circle trip. The pilot group, as did this year’s contingent, made candles at a factory in Safed, rode camels in the desert and prayed at the Western Wall.
“On the day he left, I burst into tears of happiness that he could have this opportunity,” said Linda Kaye, whose son was part of the pilot group.
Steven W., from Great Neck, N.Y. – who had traveled to Israel once before as a child with his family – said that his first foray in the Holy Land just didn’t compare to the experience he had as part of the Friendship Circle tour.
“I would give this trip 10 stars,” he said, adding with a laugh, “even if it is out of 5 stars. It deserves 10 stars. I spent today dancing at the Western Wall with the people and putting on tefillin, and I loved it.”
He was equally excited about having the chance to see “something from each part of Israel. Israel is not just one kind of place; it has everything.”
