Accessibility, inclusion and community integration reached new heights with ADI Jerusalem’s annual Simchat Beit HaShoevah celebration on Tuesday, October 11.
Held outside in the center’s parking lot, residents of the surrounding neighborhood of Romema were part and parcel of the high-spirited festivities that included students, families, staff and volunteers, and exuberant dancing and singing that lasted until sunset.
Yad Sarah Chairman and former Jerusalem Mayor HaRav Uri Lopolianski, present Deputy Mayor HaRav Tzvika Cohen and HaRav Areleh Weingarten, chairman of Darchei Miriam, graced the celebration with their presence.
With the clear-cut certainty of one who has participated in similar events, HaRav Weingarten commented that, “What we see here today, the amount of love and the strong connections is not something that happens in one day. It is the result of 365 continual days of dedication on the part of staff for the benefit of students and their families.”
“We are all children of HaKadosh Baruch Hu,” said HaRav Uri Lopolianski. “We are all one neshama (soul). Some have disabilities and some do not, but each one has an important role to carry out in this world.”
HaRav Tzivka Cohen further commented that, “What we see here to day is a huge merit for all of the cherished volunteers and for all of Am Yisrael.”
May the joy and happiness of the holiday celebration be an omen for the coming year and may we continue celebrating together with love, acceptance and inclusion for all.
