‘The Sound of Resilience’ singers captivate, enchant audience at Beth Yeshurun
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JHV: DANIEL BISSONNET
Adi Yael Yehuda, Doran Laor and Hodaya Shlomi perform at Beth Yeshurun on Nov. 12 as part of Jewish National Fund-USA’s commitment to support Israel’s resilience. The Special in Uniform band features IDF soldiers who have disabilities. |
Houstonians were treated to an inspirational and uplifting concert, “The Sound of Resilience,” by members of the IDF’s Special in Uniform Band. Three musically talented Israel Defense Forces soldiers with disabilities performed before an enthusiastic audience who sang along, waving their arms in the air. Many in the audience rose to their feet, joyfully dancing in the aisles to favorite Jewish songs, modern and traditional.
Congregation Beth Yeshurun teamed up with Jewish National Fund-USA on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to host this special event.
“We are honored to welcome this incredible group to our congregation,” Congregation Beth Yeshurun Senior Rabbi Brian Strauss told the JHV. “We are all doing what we can to celebrate and help Israel during this time.”
For Israelis, joining the IDF is a rite of passage, viewed with a sense of pride and excitement. At 16, most teens receive a letter of acceptance into the military. However, Israeli teens with disabilities often receive a second letter: an automatic deferment from serving in the army.
The Special in Uniform project works to change that scenario – making Israel’s elite army the only army in the world to consider integrating people with disabilities into its units.
Special in Uniform members begin working with teens when they turn 16, preparing them for military duty by the time they are called to serve. Some of the teens have disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. Special in Uniform provides the individual skills and training – including hydrotherapy, personal therapy and mentoring – needed for integration into the IDF.
Working with teachers and the army, Special in Uniform provides students with the accommodations they need to complete the program and succeed. By the time they graduate, teens are a highly trained squad of elite soldiers, proving that everyone belongs and has the right to reach their full potential.
Lt. Col. (res.) Tiran Attia, director of Special in Uniform, accompanied the group for its Houston performance. To date, nearly 1,000 young adults have completed the program and gone on to serve their country. Another 500 are on a waiting list (until more funds are raised).
Special in Uniform Band member Doron Laor is empowered by the recognition he receives for his musical abilities.
“I was very excited to receive such a warm welcome in Houston at the event,” band member Doron said. “I could see that I had made the audience happy, and their applause moved me.”
Doron’s mother, Dorit Laor, sees the changes in her son’s confidence since joining the program. “Doron feels a sense of belonging and appreciation, and this touches me because I see that it is possible to bring his abilities to the forefront, despite the challenges he faces.”
Band member Adi Yehuda’s enthusiasm was contagious.
“I feel so lucky to be part of the Special in Uniform program, which is the first of its kind in the whole world! I am not exaggerating when I say it has changed my life forever,” she said.
“Being a singer in the Special in Uniform Band is my way of speaking up for all my fellow special people and helping them find their way to integrate into the larger community. I never imagined I would sing in front of such big audiences and receive so much appreciation, love and applause. It fills my heart with happiness and pride.”
Adi’s mother, Smadar Yehuda Gazit, appreciates what the JNF-USA program has done for her daughter.
“When Adi graduated from high school, she wasn’t drafted into the IDF, due to her disabilities,” said Gazit. “I hadn’t a clue as to how and where I could find a place that would allow her to thrive and develop in a wide social context and bring her abilities to center stage. Special in Uniform, and its newly founded band, was the most precise solution I could only dream of as a mother.
“Adi, with her rare musical talent, was brought center stage and into the hearts of thousands of people, who embraced everything she represents – seeing the strengths rather than the weaknesses, finding the connection of common humanity and meeting others beyond their disabilities.”
JNF-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education.
“Jewish National Fund-USA improves the quality of life for people with disabilities in Israel and, since 2014, Jewish National Fund-USA and its partners – donors – nationwide have supported the Special in Uniform program,” Reagan Weil, Jewish National Fund-USA executive director for the Southwest, told the JHV. “We believe that everybody has an ability and that we can empower these young adults to reach their full potential and achieve greatness in all aspects of their lives.”
For more on Special in Uniform or other JNF initiatives, go to JNF.org.
Congregation Beth Yeshurun teamed up with Jewish National Fund-USA on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to host this special event.
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Close to 200 people attended the “Special in Uniform” concert at Beth Yeshurun. |
“We are honored to welcome this incredible group to our congregation,” Congregation Beth Yeshurun Senior Rabbi Brian Strauss told the JHV. “We are all doing what we can to celebrate and help Israel during this time.”
For Israelis, joining the IDF is a rite of passage, viewed with a sense of pride and excitement. At 16, most teens receive a letter of acceptance into the military. However, Israeli teens with disabilities often receive a second letter: an automatic deferment from serving in the army.
The Special in Uniform project works to change that scenario – making Israel’s elite army the only army in the world to consider integrating people with disabilities into its units.
Special in Uniform members begin working with teens when they turn 16, preparing them for military duty by the time they are called to serve. Some of the teens have disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. Special in Uniform provides the individual skills and training – including hydrotherapy, personal therapy and mentoring – needed for integration into the IDF.
Working with teachers and the army, Special in Uniform provides students with the accommodations they need to complete the program and succeed. By the time they graduate, teens are a highly trained squad of elite soldiers, proving that everyone belongs and has the right to reach their full potential.
Lt. Col. (res.) Tiran Attia, director of Special in Uniform, accompanied the group for its Houston performance. To date, nearly 1,000 young adults have completed the program and gone on to serve their country. Another 500 are on a waiting list (until more funds are raised).
Special in Uniform Band member Doron Laor is empowered by the recognition he receives for his musical abilities.
“I was very excited to receive such a warm welcome in Houston at the event,” band member Doron said. “I could see that I had made the audience happy, and their applause moved me.”
Doron’s mother, Dorit Laor, sees the changes in her son’s confidence since joining the program. “Doron feels a sense of belonging and appreciation, and this touches me because I see that it is possible to bring his abilities to the forefront, despite the challenges he faces.”
Band member Adi Yehuda’s enthusiasm was contagious.
“I feel so lucky to be part of the Special in Uniform program, which is the first of its kind in the whole world! I am not exaggerating when I say it has changed my life forever,” she said.
“Being a singer in the Special in Uniform Band is my way of speaking up for all my fellow special people and helping them find their way to integrate into the larger community. I never imagined I would sing in front of such big audiences and receive so much appreciation, love and applause. It fills my heart with happiness and pride.”
Adi’s mother, Smadar Yehuda Gazit, appreciates what the JNF-USA program has done for her daughter.
“When Adi graduated from high school, she wasn’t drafted into the IDF, due to her disabilities,” said Gazit. “I hadn’t a clue as to how and where I could find a place that would allow her to thrive and develop in a wide social context and bring her abilities to center stage. Special in Uniform, and its newly founded band, was the most precise solution I could only dream of as a mother.
“Adi, with her rare musical talent, was brought center stage and into the hearts of thousands of people, who embraced everything she represents – seeing the strengths rather than the weaknesses, finding the connection of common humanity and meeting others beyond their disabilities.”
JNF-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education.
“Jewish National Fund-USA improves the quality of life for people with disabilities in Israel and, since 2014, Jewish National Fund-USA and its partners – donors – nationwide have supported the Special in Uniform program,” Reagan Weil, Jewish National Fund-USA executive director for the Southwest, told the JHV. “We believe that everybody has an ability and that we can empower these young adults to reach their full potential and achieve greatness in all aspects of their lives.”
For more on Special in Uniform or other JNF initiatives, go to JNF.org.
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