The Ruderman Family Foundation (RFF) has donated $1 million that will go towards the establishment of a partnership with Chabad-Lubavitch in order to create a culture of inclusion for people with disabilities within some 4,200 Jewish communities worldwide.
The partnership between The RFF and Chabad was developed to promote a marked difference in the real-life experience of people with disabilities by changing attitudes within Jewish communities from “doing for” to “working with” people with disabilities.
Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, a passionate advocate of inclusion, says that the decision to partner with Chabad was clear: “With emissaries in virtually every Jewish community across the globe, Chabad represents one of the most extensive and influential outreach efforts in the Jewish world,” he says. “We believe that the Ruderman Family Foundation’s partnership with Chabad will bring the message of disability inclusion to Jews everywhere. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson z”l taught that every Jew is equal and every Jew is a valued member of our community regardless of their abilities. Our partnership with Chabad will ensure that his message is embraced by all Jews.”
The grant—to date the largest the RFF has made to a religious organization— will be used to develop comprehensive programming introducing strategic initiatives for inclusion of people with disabilities across the lifespan—from preschoolers through the teenage years, on college campuses and into adulthood. The Initiative will offer internships to train post-seminary students and camp counselors on best practices on inclusion and will be test piloted in 25 select Jewish communities.
At Lubavitch World Headquarters, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Chabad’s educational and social services divisions, expressed great satisfaction at this partnership, especially because “the values of inclusion that the Rebbe pioneered are inherent to Chabad. This partnership will take the great work that Chabad has done heretofore with people with disabilities, to yet another level.”
According to Program Director Dr. Sarah Kranz-Ciment, PT, DPT, “The RCII pilot programs will create a number of successful models of disability inclusion in every aspect of Jewish community life which will enable our international network to learn from these successes and implement them in their respective communities. This initiative will change mindsets across the globe and help shape communities where everyone is welcome.”
The RCII team is led by Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, Sarah Kranz-Ciment, Chaya Perman, Shelly Christensen, Neil Halpert and Marcy Horowitz.
very generous but pls explain on a practical level what does this mean
is this about wheelchair accessibility (v imp thing) — just a little confused, seems very vague
Chaya Perman! a true inspiration! completely devoted to good causes, and quietly!!! Anything her hand is in you can be sure will be amazing and something that was really needed!
It’s not that Chabad Lubavitch dosent have a major focus on species needs children.
With over 80 chapters of freindship circles and aproximetly 15.000 volunteers. That is a major foot print on special needs projects.
Including a full time central FC office run out of the Shluchim Office which coordinates events etc.
Where is this money going?
Would love to see our children benefit from it
Major generalization there
My FC definitely raises the quality of life for children and adults with special needs in my community
You do know that there are over 80 FCs and each one is completely different?
Outstanding project, hatzlocha rabba!
Kudos to the Rudermans, Chabad and Sarah Ciment for this undertaking. Hazlacha Rabah!!!!
I hope you have included parents of people with disabilities who truly know and understand the needs, to help figure out what REALLY is needed. Friendship Circle is nice, but doesn’t really help for the long term quality of life within the Jewish community. I live in a major city and Friendship Circle is based in a suburb, so we do not get any value from it.