It’s not everyday someone wins an award for being a great soldier. Naftali Stubin, resident of Passaic, won an “Outstanding Soldier” award while volunteering at Etzion regional brigade base, during his time in Ohr Torah Stone’s Darkaynu program.
Darkaynu, located in the lush hills of the Gush Etzion, provides a post-high school Israel experience to young adults with special needs. The program is a platform for these young adults to flourish academically and socially, gaining life skills and strengthening their bond to Israel and Judaism. Avi Ganz, director of the men’s program, said Darkanyu is the only religious year-in-Israel program for young men and women with special needs and fills a critical, inclusive role.
“Many students with special needs attend yeshiva high schools or other high schools, but would otherwise abruptly end their inclusive experience when their mainstream peers head to Israel for their gap year,” said Ganz. “This formative year is so crucial for self-exploration and development and our supportive staff, diverse programming and commitment to detail aim to maximize the potential of each student.”
After going on birthright and Yad b’Yad, Stubin set his sights on Darkaynu. He was familiar with the program because his older brother was a participant in 2009. Also, Stubin had many friends from New Jersey Yachad who had participated in the program. Due to Yachad, he had a large social support network of young adults—former Yachad advisors and participants—learning in Israel during his gap year.
Among many chesed opportunities the program is involved in, the Darkaynu group volunteers regularly at the local Gush Etzion Regional Command Base and the students are recognized in a formal ceremony, at the end of each year, in the presence of the top brass of the base.
“I think it gave the guys a great feeling to put on an IDF uniform, to feel like they are helping the Klal,” said Stubin’s mother, Shoshana.
During the ceremony, Stubin was chosen by the commanders, as well as the Darkaynu staff, to be recognized as the “Chayal Mitzayen.” Ganz gave some insight as to why he earned the title: “Naftoli has a very ‘can do’ attitude. He is always willing to help out when asked and often looks for opportunities to be of assistance,” he said.
Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) also participated in the Jerusalem Marathon and Stubin, who ran for Team Darkaynu, raised about $3,600 for the Darkaynu program.
Darkaynu participants have their own activities, but experience a mainstream environment by interacting with Gush students, through attending shabbatonim and being paired with the students as chavruta partners.
Participants gain work ethic and skills through internships scattered around the Gush Etzion area. Stubin worked at a bakery for his internship. “He really enjoyed that because he’s very much a people person,” said his mother. She said he was independent and took the bus all over Israel to visit people and spend time with his brother, who was learning in another yeshiva.
Ganz said students learn the ropes of living on their own, such as shopping, doing laundry and making Shabbat plans. It is nice to have support while living independently, which is why each participant has an adopted family. Stubin’s adopted family, a former Teaneck family living in the Gush area, spent time with him and assisted him with anything he needed.
Ganz said by the year’s end in yeshiva, Darkaynu students gain the confidence to offer their skills. Stubin currently works at Prima pizza in Passaic, using the food-service skills he adopted from working at the bakery in Israel.
Shoshana Stubin said she would like to see yeshiva programs on the East Coast with an inclusive component like Darkaynu. “Not everyone can go to Israel. Some people have medical issues or other things that preclude that… I really hope there are more yeshiva programs that will step up to the plate,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of including all young adults, no matter their condition, in the Jewish community and its experiences. “Being in yeshiva or being involved in events supporting the klal, learning Torah and wonderful things… every young person should experience this,” she said.
By Ally Scharf
