JSDD News

The monthly Chavurah Class, facilitated by Hagit Oren, was a lesson and celebration for Purim. All the attendees were happily engaged in the activities and  the arts and craft project had the participants making Groggers (noise makers) which they  used while the Megillah was read. Hagit spoke about Queen Esther and how she had the courage to stand up for what she believed in   A discussion was had about what special wishes they had and some that were shared was to be a DJ, a bride, an orthodox Jew.  Delicious hammentashen were served.   

  JSDD’s WAE Center visited Congregation Beth El’s Religious School in South Orange to study and learn together.  This is our third year that Morah Rivka Nelson has invited Center members to share their life experience and speak about their artwork. Our theme was Jacob’s Ladder, how dreams inform our lives and support our actions.  We were fortunate that one of Rivka’s students had celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and Jacobs Ladder was his Parsha.  This young man shared the story beautifully with the group.  WAE Center members were happy to share their dreams which were stated as, walking better, mixing paint for art, going back to work and becoming a Rabbi. Beth El students shared their dreams, having their braces […]

Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month 2020  (JDAIM) is an unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions and those who love them. JDAIM is a call to action for all of us as we act in accordance with our Jewish values, honoring the gifts and strengths that we each possess.  Established in 2009, JDAIM is observed during February.

The WAE Center has the most amazing staff who are dedicated and hardworking.  They also bring their enthusiasm and positive attitudes to work each day which are appreciate by the WAE members who attend the dynamic day program.  Two of the committed staff Miesha and Erikka went on an adventure with WAE members Richard and Karen to a comic bookstore.  As the picture shows below everyone had an awesome time!

WAE Center member Grace S. enjoys photography and took this picture today of the Cooking Class.  They were all hard at work preparing cupcakes for tomorrow’s Valentine Day Celebration in the WAE Center.  Grace wanted to capture the whole group as they were sharing in the joy of cooking!