On any given evening at a Yachad program, the room is filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and conversation – friends reconnecting, new relationships forming, and individuals of all abilities sharing experiences that build confidence, independence, and community. For more than four decades, these moments have defined Yachad’s mission: creating spaces where every individual feels valued, included, and celebrated as a full member of Jewish life.
That spirit will take center stage on April 29, when the community gathers at The Sands in Atlantic Beach for the Yachad New York Gala – an evening dedicated to honoring the people and partnerships that make those moments possible.
Founded in 1983, Yachad, the Orthodox Union’s program for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, has spent more than forty years creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in Jewish communal life. Through social programming, educational initiatives, leadership opportunities, vocational training, and employment support, Yachad fosters environments where individuals of all abilities can build friendships, develop independence, and experience a true sense of belonging.
After a short interval, Yachad reintroduced its New York gala last year, and this year’s event marks the organization’s second annual gala, celebrating the community members who help make its mission possible.
“As we celebrate more than four decades of Yachad’s impact, what continues to inspire us most are the individuals, families, businesses, and young leaders who embrace our mission of inclusion,” said Avromie Adler, International Director of Yachad. “Their partnership ensures that people with disabilities are not simply welcomed into our communities but truly belong within them.”
This year’s gala will recognize three honorees and a group of high school seniors whose exceptional leadership and stories reflect the heart of Yachad’s mission: the Goldstein family, Camp Morasha, White Glove Consulting, and High School Senior Leaders.
The Goldstein Family – Yachad Family Award
For almost two decades, the Goldstein family has been deeply connected to the Yachad community. Their journey began close to 20 years ago when their son JJ first became involved in the program.
Like many families, Brenda and Stanley Goldstein were searching for a place where their son could socialize, build friendships, and feel a genuine sense of belonging. From the moment JJ joined Yachad, they found exactly that.
Over the years, JJ has flourished within the community. Through Yachad’s programs, he has developed meaningful friendships, gained confidence, and found a place where he feels comfortable, supported, and valued. Known affectionately by friends and staff as the “life of the party,” JJ brings warmth, enthusiasm, and joy wherever he goes.
His involvement has included weeknight programs, Shabbatonim, and summer camp experiences. Today, JJ participates in Yachad’s vocational summer camp program, where he works while continuing to develop skills that strengthen his independence.
For the Goldstein family, Yachad has become far more than a program – it is a community. Brenda and Stanley have embraced that community wholeheartedly, participating in family Shabbatonim and forming close bonds with other parents. One especially meaningful tradition has been hosting the Shabbos afternoon Oneg during the Woodmere Shabbaton, an event JJ proudly tells everyone about each year as he welcomes “all his friends” to his home.
Their dedication to Jewish communal life extends well beyond Yachad. Both Brenda and Stanley are proud alumni of Camp Morasha, where they met 56 years ago while serving as counselors. In later years, they returned for more than two decades, with Stanley serving as the camp doctor.
Together with their children, the Goldsteins have also participated in numerous Yachad marathons in Miami and Israel, helping raise critical funds to support Yachad’s programs.
In recognition of their longstanding dedication and the spirit of community they embody, Yachad is proud to honor the Goldstein family with this year’s Yachad Family Award.
Celebrating 25 Years of Yachad at Camp Morasha
Another highlight of the evening will be a special recognition celebrating the 25-year partnership between Yachad and Camp Morasha, a collaboration that has transformed the summer camp experience for countless individuals with disabilities.
Twenty-five years ago, under the visionary leadership of Rabbi Abie Wahrhaftig z”l, then director of Camp Morasha, the camp partnered with Yachad to welcome youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the Morasha community.
Together, the leadership of Camp Morasha and Yachad created a thoughtfully designed program that ensured campers with disabilities could fully participate in camp life while receiving the support they needed. Dedicated bunkhouses and specialized staff support allowed Yachad campers to grow, learn, and form friendships alongside mainstream campers.
Over the years, the program has expanded to include meaningful vocational opportunities as well. Today, Yachad members contribute to the daily life of camp by working in areas such as the dining hall, canteen, and other departments, gaining valuable work experience and developing skills that foster greater independence.
This past summer marked the program’s 25th anniversary, which was beautifully celebrated during Morasha’s beloved annual Shiriyah sing-off. Appropriately themed “We Can All Sing,” the event reflected the unity, joy, and sense of belonging that define Yachad’s presence at camp. It served as a powerful reminder that the Morasha camp experience is enriched by every member of its community.
The award will be accepted by Camp Morasha Director Jeremy Joszef, together with the Wahrhaftig family, in honor of Rabbi Abie Wahrhaftig’s enduring legacy.
White Glove Consulting – The Lev Business Award
Yachad will present the Lev Business Award to White Glove Consulting, recognizing the company’s commitment to inclusive employment through Yachad’s Jewish Union Foundation (JUF).
Employment is one of the central pillars of Yachad’s mission. Through JUF, individuals with disabilities receive vocational training, job coaching, and real-world work experience that helps them build professional skills and independence.
White Glove Consulting became one of these valued partners several years ago when a JUF job coach approached the company about providing job skills training for Yachad participants. Under the leadership of Duvi Taub, Co-Founder and CEO, the company immediately embraced the opportunity – not simply as a business initiative, but as a reflection of its core values.
Duvi and his team have demonstrated a deep commitment to Yachad’s mission, recognizing the importance of creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By opening their workplace and investing in training and mentorship, they have helped foster an environment where employees are supported, empowered, and given the opportunity to succeed.
“At White Glove, we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way,” said Duvi Taub. “Partnering with Yachad has shown us just how impactful an inclusive workplace can be – not only for the individual, but for our entire team.”
At the time, Zahava, a graduating student from the Yachad IVDU School, was ready to transition from volunteer placements into the workforce. White Glove Consulting welcomed her into the company, providing not only a position but a supportive environment where she could thrive.
Through dedication and hard work, Zahava grew steadily in her role. What began as a supported placement eventually developed into a meaningful career as an Administrative Assistant. Today, she plays an important role in the company’s daily operations and has become fully independent in her responsibilities.
White Glove Consulting’s commitment, driven by Duvi Taub’s leadership, demonstrates the transformative power of inclusive employment and the meaningful impact that businesses can have when they actively embrace opportunities to support individuals of all abilities. In recognition of their partnership, leadership, and dedication to creating inclusive opportunities, Yachad is proud to present Duvi Taub of White Glove Consulting with the Lev Business Award.
High School Seniors Leadership Award
This year’s gala will also include the High School Seniors Leadership Award, recognizing a group of exceptional students whose dedication and leadership have strengthened Yachad’s mission of inclusion.
Throughout their high school years, these seniors have devoted countless hours to supporting Yachad programming in their schools and communities. Many students served as club heads of their school’s Yachad Club, developing programs that brought their peers together with Yachad participants in an atmosphere of friendship and respect.
Their initiatives have included social programs such as pre-Chagim baking, basketball games, Chanukah and Purim celebrations, Mishmar events, as well as creative fundraising efforts like bake sales, raffles, and competitions. These student leaders have also helped organize educational programming, inviting Yachad staff to lead sensitivity training and inclusion workshops for their classmates.
Beyond their work in school, many of these students have participated in Yachad’s evening and weekend programs and Shabbatonim, where they serve as role models for younger volunteers and help foster meaningful relationships with Yachad members.
Through their dedication, these students have helped cultivate a culture of inclusion in their schools and communities while strengthening Yachad’s mission. This recognition highlights the important role young leaders play in shaping a more inclusive Jewish community.
Celebrating the Power of Community
Together, this year’s honorees reflect the many ways Yachad’s mission comes to life – through families, institutions, businesses, and young leaders who believe in building communities where every individual is valued and included.
The Yachad Gala will take place on Tuesday evening, April 29, at The Sands Atlantic Beach. The evening will celebrate more than forty years of Yachad’s impact while honoring those who continue to strengthen its work and ensure that individuals with disabilities are embraced as full and valued members of Jewish communal life.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Shatz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To register for the gala or to make a donation, please visit www.yachad.org/newyork/gala.
