My name is Stefanie Chernow. I’m currently a sixth grader at Yeshivat Noam. For my bat mitzvah, I didn’t want to just raise money for any organization. I wanted to interact with kids with special needs and I wanted to be part of their life. I found the best program, which is really all about inclusion: Yachad.

On Tuesdays, Yachad has art classes from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. that I have been attending so I can meet and be with participants from Yachad. It has been very special to be there. I was first able to do an art project with them. After a couple of weeks with them, I decided that I wanted to sponsor a party in honor of my bat mitzvah with the girls from the Yachad Center. We decided to have a Zumba party because I love to dance.

The party was amazing. We had about 30 people attend the party. It was such a happy event and we all danced and partied together. For me to see how everybody was so happy made me feel I did something right. Everyone is so special and I will continue to go on Tuesdays to their art classes so I can spend more time with them.

I personally believe that Yachad is a great organization, with a staff that is amazing and always welcoming to everybody. I hope that more people can have the same positive experience that I have described.

Stephanie, 12, of Tenafly, has been involved with Yachad as part of her bat mitzvah by attending the Ruth Ulevitch Art Program on Tuesdays at the Mendel Balk Center.

 By Stephanie Chernow