Like many people, my husband and I have been to quite a number of organizational dinners over the years. However, some dinners stand out more than others. On Saturday night, Jan. 7, Yachad New Jersey held their annual gala event at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck. As at most dinners, the food was plentiful, the room was decorated with just the right lighting and centerpieces, and there was a low hum of voices as the guests in the room chatted with one another.

What made this particular gala dinner event different from others was that one of the guests of honor was a Yachad participant, whose family, and just as important, his good friends from Yachad, came to celebrate him and to celebrate with him. People with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD) rarely get celebrated in their adult lives. Most adults are celebrated by their family and friends when they graduate from college, get their first job, get married, have children, and experience many life cycle events. Adults with IDD, however, usually do not have many life cycle celebrations beyond birthdays.

On Saturday night, Jakie Adler and his family were honored by Yachad among other worthy honorees, and his friends, my son Yosef included, were so thrilled to be attending the event. Their pictures were displayed in the lobby and projected on the walls of the dining hall. Tehillim was led by one of the Yachad participants, and the video about the new Yachad music program featured many of the men and women of Yachad. My son was so proud of his friend that he videoed the evening’s proceedings on his phone to watch later at home and to share his experience with his siblings. For all the Yachad participants, the gala was their night to shine; the rest of us were there to watch in awe and pride, and of course to support the organization financially.

It was truly a wonderful night, celebrating all the participants of Yachad. Thank you to the leadership of Yachad for making the evening so special!

With Gratitude,

Bassie Taubes
Teaneck