Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities is a thriving global organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all Jewish individuals with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in every aspect of Jewish life. Our inclusive design aims to ensure persons with diverse abilities their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate and advocate for a greater understanding, acceptance, outreach, and a pro-disability attitude.

Deeply rooted in Jewish values and tradition, New England Yachad has solidified its presence as a thriving Jewish communal organization for individuals with disabilities and special needs of all abilities, ages and Jewish denominations. Our mission is to enhance the life opportunities of individuals with and without disabilities, ensuring their participation in the full spectrum of Jewish life. New England Yachad (NEY) welcomes all and cultivates the social, intellectual, physical and spiritual well-being of the entire community.

We regularly host social, recreational and therapeutic community-based programming across our region. Our goals are to:

  1. Create an inclusive community of individuals of all ages and abilities, and their families, to participate in social and recreational programming
  2. Recruit peer participants (high schoolers, college students and young professionals) who share values of inclusion;
  3. Address gaps and unmet needs for children and adults with disabilities
  4. Provide family and sibling support services and promote participation of families and individuals with disabilities in Jewish community life
  5. Infuse Jewish content into programs and celebrate Jewish holidays B’Yachad—with a community of friends and partner with Jewish educators, clergy and synagogues
  6. Invite community agencies (secular and Jewish) to partner with Yachad in hosting programs and activities
  7. Educate the public; and identify new participants and peers who will enjoy and benefit from Yachad and break the isolation of many individuals with disabilities

While NEY has been in existence for nearly 30 years, since gaining a full-time director in 2013 the agency has seen unprecedented growth. Over the past three years, NEY has implemented several hundred programs with enormous breadth to respond to the increasing demand for social, recreational, clinical and family support services for individuals, siblings and parents/care givers.

Check out our Facebook group for activities and events here.