On Friday, February 2, MDS eighth graders and faculty welcomed 25 Yachad members for its annual Yachad shabbaton. At Manhattan Day School, participating in and contributing to community are core ethos. The annual Yachad shabbaton instills students with the value of community and inclusion while strengthening their midot and showing sensitivity towards others.

The shabbaton was a beautiful opportunity for the students to create a Shabbat experience with Jewish children with disabilities. Participants shared in various Shabbat programming, including icebreakers, davening, zemirot and Shabbat meals. Shabbat afternoon was full of fun and games, contributing to the inclusive and uplifting atmosphere of the weekend. The program concluded with a musical Havdala followed by a melave malka with dancing.

“The eighth grade MDS/Yachad shabbaton was an incredible experience,” says Shimmy Nabozny, Yachad representative and event co-coordinator. “The MDS eighth graders were warm, welcoming and inclusive to Yachad members. It was really nice to see them reach beyond their comfort zones and make real, meaningful friendships with our Yachad members. We would look forward to our continued partnership between Yachad and MDS in the future.”

The MDS annual shabbaton has become a highlight of the year for MDS students, faculty, and the wider MDS community. West Side families open their home to host both Yachad members and MDS faculty, and are invited to participate in all aspects of the shabbaton. Past parents and MDS alumni reflect fondly on their memories of their own experience, and for some, it can be the beginning of long term involvement. “An MDS Yachad shabbaton brought out the best in my daughter, Aviva,” says one past parent and Yachad Shabbaton host. “It was a defining moment for her. Today she is an early childhood/special ed teacher.”

Kayla Miller, Yachad volunteer and current MDS assistant special education teacher, reflects that “It was meaningful for me to facilitate inclusion between my students and people I knew. It was especially nice that our students had an opportunity to be exposed to an organization that promotes inclusion of all students.”

Eighth grader Ella Epstein adds, “It was very meaningful to interact with Yachad members, and to be able to play games and talk with them. We hope we can host another Yachad shabbaton soon.”