BACH Jewish Center teams up with Yachad

The Bach Jewish Center in Long Beach has partnered with the Orthodox Union’s Yachad to host a Shabbaton filled with social, educational and spiritual activities in honor of Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month.

The month, established in 2009, highlights each individual’s unique abilities and strengths within the framework of Jewish faith and tradition. This year’s weekend retreat emphasized the value of listening, empowering and including every member of the community, inspired by the weekly Torah reading of Parshat Yisro.

Rabbi Benny Berlin of BACH shared divrei Torah with the group, highlighting the lesson from Yisro, that just as Yisro empowered Moses by helping him share the responsibilities of leadership, every member of the community has a unique gift to contribute and every voice matters.

“Yisro taught Moses the value of empowering others, hearing their unique perspectives and creating systems that allow everyone to contribute according to their abilities,” Rabbi Berlin said. “In the same way, our communities are strongest when we recognize the talents and strengths of every individual, including those with disabilities. Inclusion is a way of building a community where everyone belongs, everyone participates and everyone’s voice matters. By empowering each member, we strengthen the entire community and bring the Torah’s vision of justice and unity to life.”

On Shabbos morning, the group joined the BACH minyan, followed by a communal lunch. Shabbos concluded with a musical Havdalah led by Rabbi Berlin and the synagogue’s talented congregants, with Yachad members singing and dancing together in joyous celebration.

The Orthodox Union’s Yachad is the leading inclusion organization for individuals with disabilities in the Orthodox Jewish community.