wae

This month is intended to remind us that ALL Jews, without regard to disability, must have access to Jewish life – to work live, love, play, learn and worship how and where they choose, and to contribute to this wonderful place we call our Greater MetroWest Jewish community.   JSDD and the WAE Center is engaged in bringing artwork, artists, and residents into a few congregations to spread the word about abilities and inclusion in Jewish life. While the notion of inclusion may sound abstract, it is in fact, a daily practice rooted in the practical.  We need only remember to look and notice the needs of those around us, which are different than ours, and act to provide equal access […]

In celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest (JFGMW) NJ, a community-wide trip to Israel is planned for July 2023. JSDD and our partner agency JESPY House will be sharing a bus as we embark on this community journey with the generous support of the Centennial Fund. We are thrilled that five men and women who reside in JSDD homes will travel to Israel with three staff members.  For most, it will be their first trip to Israel and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.  For those who travelled to Israel many years ago, it will be a visit of a lifetime with excursions tailored to their interests, while accommodations are made to address the needs […]

Never ones to forgo a celebration the members of JSDD’s WAE Center gathered on November 16th to share a Thanksgiving feast. This annual ritual is always wonderful and important to the entire JSDD community. It is a time to come together and reflect on all that we are thankful for. WAE Center Director, Harry Klein, went around the room asking people what they felt moved to share – the common theme was being grateful for friends, family, and their opportunity to learn and be together at the WAE. Each member expressed their appreciation for a different staff member who is important in their daily life. This tradition started as a lunch in honor of the birthday of Scott Reich who […]

By: Randy Harris This is a compilation of poems and group stories from the Poetry class.  I’m extremely proud of our members for opening themselves to create such beautiful and imaginative work.  They have imagined worlds of coffee waterfalls and tap-dancing clouds.  Used the alphabet grid amid a myriad of words to spin their rhymes. What great fun and joyful times. This work is the result of a team of people –  volunteer and staff who have treated this process with dedication, passion, and joy.  Thank you, Pam, Onica, Julie, Rebeka, Erica and Olivia.  Poems My Swim I love swimming The butterfly is so thrilling When I do the backstroke, I’m swimming in clouds At the swim meet people are […]

Written by Chris Guida Imagine planning a trip to Hawaii, where the language is familiar, and the atmosphere is heavenly only to get off the plane and discover you are in Mongolia. When my son Kevin was born 37 years ago, I had a totally different idea of what his life would be like.  I imagined small joyful milestones like babbling his first words, taking his first steps, riding a bike.  I pictured sports awards, academic accolades, maybe even a scholarship to a fine college.   That never happened.  You see, Kevin was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Distal 18Q.  He is on the Autistic Spectrum.  This disorder affects his speech and language skills, gross and fine motor skills, weakens […]