Keshet is thrilled to announce three new volunteers who are bringing their skills and expertise to the Board of Directors.
While most people walk through a day camp and see the activities, campers and counselors, at Keshet, we see something more. Through our lens, day camps are outdoor, unconventional voc skills labs with endless work and natural supports.
As we prepare for Keshet’s 40th birthday celebration, there are many things circling in my head. I can’t help but think about our humble beginnings 40 years ago, when a small group of parents joined together to find a way to provide a place in the Jewish community for their children with disabilities.
Message from Jennifer Phillips in response to the tragedy in Highland Park
As a long-time camp person, I couldn’t remember a time where I didn’t live by the motto #10For2. All year long I count down for those 39 magical days of camp, because it’s given me lifelong friendships, shaped me into the leader I am today, and most of all it’s the place where I can be my most authentic self. For many of our Keshet participants and staff, their experience is no different.
Keshet Transition is designed to provide the necessary support to ease young adults into community life after high school. The work that these students do is meaningful, important, and allows them the opportunity to make a difference in the community they live in.
For a class in a Masters program, Jen Phillips, Keshet’s CEO, explores Tikkun Olam, traditional Jewish texts and the connection to Keshet.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Providing for people’s emotional wellness has always been part of how Keshet supports people in our programs, and is now an important priority.
Experiencing GADOL’s book club gave me a lot of insight into the ways that our programming helps Keshet adults continue to live meaningful lives and create community in unexpected ways.
There are many simple things that we could be doing on a daily basis that would not only improve the lives of those with disabilities, but pretty much everyone. Inclusion and accessibility measures shouldn’t just be done at an organization like Keshet, but within every facet of our lives. And, once we can shift our attitudes to reflect this wisdom, we have the ability to enact real, meaningful change.
Our volunteers gain just as much as the participants that they work with and love hearing their stories. In honor of National Volunteer Month, let’s hear from one of our all-star volunteers Juliana Canastra about what volunteering with Keshet has meant to her.
We are thrilled to share the service opportunities our Keshet participants have been doing throughout the week of Good Deeds Day to help make a difference and #DoGood.
JUF recently provided Keshet with a grant for technology for our day schools. This investment is so much more than hardware and software; it has the potential to form meaningful relationships and a community of belonging for students.