JSDD News

The Shabbat celebration was back online this week. The gathering began with lots of singing of songs in both English and Hebrew. Todd and Daniel performed the blessings of both the challah and the grape juice.   Hagit, JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator, taught the participants about Tu Be’Av which is the holiday of love in Israel. The holiday started this year on August 11th at sundown and ends on the 12th at sundown. It is very similar to Valentine’s Day. Those who observe Tu Be’Av celebrate their deep connection to G-d, their connection with others and use the holiday as a time to reflect and soul search in preparation for the upcoming High Holidays.  It is also a time for forgiveness […]

JSDD was thrilled to attend a beautiful Shabbat Service and dinner hosted by the Friendship Circle’s and the Fabulous Friday program. Everyone was thrilled to see each other face to face. The service began with the women of the Passaic House lighting the Shabbat candles together. While most of the group enjoyed a service at the dinner table, Mark was able to participate in a service in the Sanctuary. When he rejoined the group, he shared how much he loved the service and that he was so happy to be a part of it all. The services were filled with joyous songs and the prayers which are so familiar to the residents.  The group learned about the ninth of Av’ […]

From the Desk of Harry Klein, Director, JSDD WAE Center When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the WAE community over 2 years ago, the staff scrambled to figure out how to stay connected with our members. By May of 2020, we were hosting 4 virtual classes per week. This was a huge accomplishment for those of us who had never even heard of zoom before! This new virtual program was named “WAE to Connect”. Fast forward to summer 2022 and this program has grown its class roster to exceed 25 classes a week while including Physical and Occupational Therapies along with 1:1 interactive engagement opportunities.  WAE to Connect, was being managed by myself and Anthonice Lauriston. While working to get the WAE […]

Name: Amelia Mukherjee Title: Physical Therapist How long have you been with JSDD? I started March 2019 Was this the position you started in? Yes What is your first memory of JSDD? Aubrie brought me in for an interview and I loved the beautiful artwork! I spent a lot of time looking at the artwork in the hallways in the old building in West Orange. What has most surprised you about working with JSDD? How many great classes are offered that help promote and incorporate balance, gross and fine motor skills, and activities of daily living (ADLs) such as yoga, tai chi, painting or other artwork, and cooking.  These are all great things, that are fun activities that can help […]

Brad van Eeden-Moorefield, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE Acting Department Chair, FSHD Professor and Associate Department Chair for Social Justice Initiatives Department of Family Science & Human Development    I was thrilled to be asked to contribute a post for Pride month. I thought it would be helpful to share a little about how Pride began and what makes it so important. In doing so, I think it is also important to acknowledge how Pride is one way to help create visibility, safety, and spaces of belonging for the larger LGBTQ+ community and for those at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD), including those who might be on the Autism Spectrum (ASD). Second, I thought I would share […]