There are so many things I love about Yavneh. I love the ruach, the masoret (tradition), the agam, zimriyah, shabbat…the list goes on. But one of the things I love MOST about Yavneh is that, as a community, we are consistently able to lift each other up and celebrate one another’s strengths and differences.
I love that we come from a variety of backgrounds and come together as one community in the summer. We try new things, we push each other outside of our comfort zones, and we learn about each others’ practices, beliefs, and personalities.
This month is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, which is a unified effort of Jewish organizations around the world to champion the rights of Jews with all types of disabilities and raise awareness for the continued need for inclusion in our communities.
At Yavneh, we pride ourselves on being a K’lal Yisrael community – that we are “a place for Jewish learning and a fulfilling camp experience for all Jewish children.” With this key piece of our mission in mind, we must be continually asking ourselves, are we creating an inclusive experience for ALL Jewish children?
There is always room for improvement and growth. As we continue to learn, my hope is that Yavneh can continue to increase opportunities for campers and staff of all abilities, as well as increase awareness and understanding of the diversity of people we hold dear in our space.
I’m proud to say that our team is continually working on this effort. As an occupational therapist myself, I am so glad to be surrounded by an all-star camper care team – comprised of social workers, psychologists, and educators – all of whom are working so hard already to create an environment this summer where everyone’s strengths and abilities are celebrated.
B’ahava,
Alanna
