The New Jersey Yachad Gala will be held on Motzei Shabbat, Jan. 4, at the Glenpointe Marriott in Teaneck. As Yachad’s primary fundraiser of the year, the gala honors individuals who are dedicated to the organization and its mission to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. This year’s honorees are a remarkable group of people, each exemplifying the power of giving in their own unique ways.

“Our Annual Gala is more than just a gathering; it reflects the values that drive us forward,” said Rocky Selevan, director of Yachad New Jersey. “This year’s honorees embody these values, which are grounded in the three pillars of Yachad: relationships, education and job/career. These pillars define a person’s identity and self-worth. We take great pride in our three core pillars: IVDU, our educational arm; the Jewish Union Foundation (JUF), which provides employment and adult day services; and our relationships departments, which include Yachad summer and Yachad regional programs. These initiatives help our participants build meaningful social connections and relationships.”

Selevan said, “This year we are so excited that each of our honorees is deeply connected to our pillars and core values. We are grateful to Dr. Aliza Frohlich, Jus by Julie and Sharon Herenstein, Dov and Gayle Katz, The Kooijmans Family and Aliza and Gershi Adler for their commitment and dedication to Yachad.”

Women’s Leadership Award

The Women’s Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Aliza Frolich, director of guidance at Yavneh Middle School. Frolich’s connection to Yachad began as a teenager attending NCSY events, where she remembers an uplifting atmosphere where people were having a meaningful impact on each other’s lives. Her involvement with the organization continued to grow when she started her career at Yavneh Academy 19 years ago. At that time, the eighth grade shabbaton was held in conjunction with the annual Yachad Shabbaton, providing Yavneh students the opportunity to spend Shabbat with young men and women who were different from them, fostering understanding and inclusivity.

Today, Frolich continues to incorporate Yachad into various Yavneh middle school activities, and she is thrilled at how excited the students are to partake in these events. For instance, Yavneh’s Chesed Team, which hosts monthly events, regularly invites Yachad members to participate. In the coming weeks, the team plans to visit the Yachad Center for a Chanukah program that will include singing, crafting and noshing. Additionally, Yavneh’s Lost and Found Committee, started by students who learned about the concept of hashavas aveidah, has partnered with Yachad to return lost items to their rightful owners. Last year the program even featured an awards ceremony that really uplifted the Yachad participants.

Frolich said perhaps the most impactful program for eighth graders at Yavneh is the Senior Seminar, a curriculum that helps students gain a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with a disability. The program aims to encourage compassion and understanding and often inspires students to join Yachad as volunteers, many of whom continue to serve into adulthood.

Frolich’s own son, Avraham, was first introduced to Yachad as a young boy at the annual Shabbaton. Today, at 22, he is a Yachad coordinator.

“At Yavneh we emphasize the importance of giving to others on a very regular basis,” said Frolich. “Acts of kindness have been proven to boost self-esteem, and as a school psychologist I’m obviously invested in keeping my students happy.” Frolich added that involvement in Yachad promotes being inclusive and that also impacts how students treat their peers in school. It impresses upon them the importance of including everyone and making everyone feel as if he/she has a place and this seeps into how they treat others wherever they go.

Middle school can be a time of insecurity, where many feel a lack of belonging, but at Yachad, kindness is cool and everyone is welcome. “At the end of the day, we are all created in Hashem’s image,” Frolich said, “and Yachad provides a space where everyone can thrive together.”

Lev Business Award

The Lev Business Award will be presented to Sharon Herenstein and Jus By Julie. For those who have ever visited Jus By Julie, chances are they’ve crossed paths with Herenstein. As the restaurant manager, Herenstein handles everything from inventory to the day-to-day operations of the cafe. She’s also warm and welcoming and has fostered an inviting atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

Herenstein likes to engage with customers and shared a conversation she had with her friend Sarah Olshin, z”l, about her son Meir, an active Yachad participant. Olshin explained how challenging it can be for individuals with special needs to find opportunities as they transition into adulthood. “That’s when the idea came to mind,” said Herenstein, and she asked Olshin if Meir would be interested in working at the store. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Jus By Julie employs two Yachad members, Meir and Tova, who manage the Uber and DoorDash orders on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Herenstein’s first experience with Yachad came when she was a division head at Camp Lavi, where she made it a point to include Yachad participants on trips and activities, integrating them whenever possible. She has always valued the organization and what it does for individuals with special needs and their families. Just because someone has a certain disability doesn’t mean they can’t excel, she said, and added that Meir and Tova are a huge asset to the Jus team. “They’re efficient, pleasant and they get the job done.”

Herenstein believes more small businesses should embrace the opportunity to work with Yachad. “I’m surprised it’s not more widespread,” she said. “It’s not just a benefit for Yachad members, it’s a tremendous help to the business too. People with disabilities have immense potential and are eager to learn and contribute; they just need the opportunity to succeed.,” she said. Herenstein has a message for the community and business owners: “Yachad members are capable and ready to work. If you have a business and want to collaborate with Yachad, I can help create a program that will work for you.”

Keter Shem Tov Award

The Keter Shem Tov Award will be given to Gayle and Dov Katz. Dov, known to many as “Digital Dov,” along with his bands Khroma and Onkore, has been performing most of his life. Together with Gayle, they have spent much time at summer programs including Camps Morasha and Moshava, where they often worked together with Yachad staff. “Those summers were our first up close encounter with Yachad and we were amazed to see how beautifully the Yachad members integrated into the regular program,” said Dov. It was also their first exposure to the Yachad staff, whose dedication to the campers, which Gayle and Dov said, “is truly astonishing.”

For the Katz family, Yachad became a central part of their lives and their children became dedicated volunteers of the organization. Their son Ari first connected with Yachad as a camper at Camp Mesorah, and then went on to attend the Yad B’Yad Israel summer program, an experience that deeply impacted him, especially when he met Tammie, who would later become his wife. Both Ari and Tammie remained actively involved with Yachad throughout college.

About three years ago, Dov was approached by Chani Hermann at Camp Morasha who asked him to create a music program for New Jersey Yachad. “Already pressed for time, I hesitated,” said Dov, but she persisted and then unleashed the power of New Jersey Yachad Director Rocky Selevan. Now, three years later, Yachad has a thriving weekly George H. Weinberger Music Program held in a state-of-the-art music studio, where participants gather each week. The studio has even been used by Zusha, who recorded a Yachad song there.

“We never know where our journey through music will take us,” Dov said, “but each week is different, fun, educational and literally the highlight of my very busy schedule.” Even after being a professional musician for 30 years, he is continually amazed by the level of knowledge and breadth of material that the participants have; many can identify thousands of songs simply by hearing half a note.

While Gayle and Dov agreed that they have gained so much personal joy and fulfillment through their participation with Yachad, the real reason for their deep commitment to the organization lies in the work that happens behind the scenes. Dov described the dedication of the Yachad staff as something truly extraordinary, though he acknowledged it’s hard to put into words. He also emphasized the challenges faced by families of children with special needs, who often require constant support.

“People don’t realize that when you have a child with special needs, they don’t simply grow up and move out of the house after high school. It’s a lifelong financial, emotional and physical commitment that never ends. We as a community are blessed to have the Yachad program and the Yachad heroes among us, and we feel personally blessed to be able to call ourselves proud members of Yachad New Jersey!” concluded Dov.

Yachad Family Award

The Yachad Family Award will be presented to the Kooijman family. The Kooijmans moved from Geneva, Switzerland to Teaneck about 14 years ago to obtain Jewish-affiliated services for their daughter Hadassah, who has cerebral palsy. While life in Switzerland was wonderful and the healthcare system was excellent, the services were not Jewish. As Elisabeth Kooijman, Hadassah’s mother, explained, “We wanted Hadassah to be in a Jewish and observant environment where she could thrive. We knew she would need services for the rest of her life, so it was important for us to connect with a Jewish organization.”

The Kooijmans have five children. Hadassah’s first experience with Yachad was attending a Shabbaton, which proved to be incredibly liberating for Elisabeth and her husband, Yochanan. “We were able to focus on our other young children, knowing that Hadassah was in good hands, happy, well cared for, in a kosher environment, and participating in Shabbat activities,” Elisabeth shared. “That was huge for us.”

Hadassah quickly became a regular at the Mendel Balk Center, where she enjoys spending time with her friends. The center’s proximity to their home is a major convenience, and Hadassah has created real friendships with many of the other participants. “The program has evolved and grown over the years,” the Kooijmans noted. “There’s so much social interaction for Hadassah and she really loves spending time with the many girls she’s connected with. Additionally, the activities offered have increased significantly, and the members are excited about all the new opportunities,” they added.

Over time, Hadassah has also formed strong relationships with many of the volunteers. Elisabeth shared a sweet story about a volunteer who took Hadassah to a wedding of another Yachad volunteer. “Hadassah loves weddings,” Elisabeth said. “The volunteer later told me, ‘It was great being there with Hadassah because everyone knows her and I knew no one. Thanks to Hadassah, I had a great time.’”

As for the Kooijmans’ other children, Elisabeth believes that Yachad has had a meaningful impact on them as well. Because Yachad is such an integral part of the community, people recognize Hadassah as her own person. She is surrounded by people who appreciate her and she has become someone of real relevance. Through Yachad, she has her own identity; she’s funny, social and people love getting to know her. For her siblings, this means that “she’s not just the ‘handicapped sister’ of Tirza or Shmuli; she’s a fun Yachad participant they love to hang out with.”

Yachad has played a key role in helping Hadassah find herself, providing her with friendships, activities and boosting her self-esteem. Reflecting on the courageous decision her family made to relocate so many years ago, Elisabeth said, “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Yachad has been an invaluable resource for Hadassah and our family, and we are so grateful for New Jersey Yachad.”

Young Leadership Alumni Award

The Young Leadership/Alumni Award will be given to the Adler Family. Aliza Adler grew up in Teaneck, where she was aware of Yachad and the important message the organization fosters. Her personal connection to Yachad began in 2008 as a camper on Yad B’Yad, Yachad’s Israel summer program. “After spending a summer watching my counselors live Yachad’s message of inclusion and making new friends for life, I was hooked,” said Aliza.

Aliza spent the next 11 summers as staff for various Yachad programs including Yachad Mesorah and Yad B’Yad. During this time Aliza met her husband, Gershi, who quickly followed her lead and became an active part of the Yachad family. Aliza shared, “Once you’re in, you’re in for life,” and the Adlers’ ongoing involvement in Yachad speaks to that lifelong commitment.

For Aliza and Gershi, Yachad represents much more than an organization; it’s a family. They deeply understand the inner workings of Yachad and the hard work behind the scenes to ensure that its message of inclusion is carried out. Children and adults with and without disabilities can come together and find meaning, fun and friends, said Aliza. “You’re loved for being you,” she said, a concept that really embraces the values that define Yachad.

The Adlers are now passing on these values to their young daughter, introducing her to Yachad events at an early age. Aliza said her daughter already seems to understand the organization’s message, especially as she sings her favorite Yachad song, which expresses the idea that, “Even if someone is different, we can all get along.”

“The gala is an opportunity for us to come together as a community, honoring those who make a difference and raise the necessary support to continue our vital work,” said Selevan. “On behalf of Yachad New Jersey, I extend our deepest gratitude to this year’s honorees for their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to our mission. Their passion and commitment inspire us all and we look forward to celebrating not only their achievements but also the profound impact they have made on our community.”

For more information or to register for the dinner, visit www.yachad.org/newjersey/gala/ or contact [email protected].