Honorees
May 31, 2019 בס״ד
Dear friends,
We have had the pleasure to be involved with Chicago Yachad over the past 8 years. Yachad is a wonderful organization that is dedicated to ensuring inclusion of Jewish individuals with disabilities across the spectrum of life. Inclusion can take the shape of many different things, but the one common goal remains the same, which is to allow everyone to feel as if they belong.
Under the capable hands of Efrem Popel and more recently Elliot Cohen, we have been proud to see the growth of Chicago Yachad. With each passing year, Chicago Yachad successfully reaches a larger audience and expands its programming. We are proud to be involved with an organization that has and continues to make a profoundly meaningful impact across Chicagoland.
Beyond having been an active board member for many years, Stan has also had the privilege to serve as co-chair of Chicago Yachad’s Advisory Board, alongside Chaim Suss, for the past two years. Over that same time period, we have been blessed to see two of our children, Eli and Ari, become increasingly involved in the organization. Beyond Eli and Ari attending events as peers, Eli serves on the high school leadership board, and this past January, ran with Team Yachad in the Miami Marathon. We have witnessed first-hand how Yachad not only supports their members, but also facilitates leadership development skills in their peer participants as well.
Years ago, we were introduced to Yachad through friends. Since then our involvement has become a family affair and we couldn’t be more grateful. It is with a deep sense of honor to let you know that Chicago Yachad has chosen us as recipients of the “Lev Zahav” (Heart of Gold) award, which will be presented at this year’s banquet on June 24th. We would be thrilled to have you join us at the event and encourage you to partner with us in supporting this incredible organization, by attending the dinner, placing an ad and donating to this most worthy organization.
With appreciation,
Stan & Mashie Gertz
May 31, 2019 בס״ד
Dear friends,
We have the privilege of receiving the Community Service Award at the Chicago Yachad dinner on June 24th. We learned about the amazing work that Yachad does, and the impact it has on the community, through our children. Leora served on the teen leadership board and Akiva participated as a high school peer. While most people assume that the unique and wonderful Yachad members are the sole beneficiaries of Yachad’s programming, the benefits to high school peers and their families are dramatic. Few life lessons can equal the experiences our high-school aged children, and we, were fortunate to share through hosting Yachad house guests, sharing circle time, the moving Havdalah at an amazing Shabbaton, working with Yachad members preparing for the annual dinner, and numerous other interactions, large and small.Our involvement with Yachad still continues, years after our children graduated high school, through serving on the Advisory Board of Directors and coordinating behind-the-scenes logistics at many Yachad annual dinners. Again, we cannot stress enough that the benefits to us, the enrichment of our lives, the feeling of being privileged to work with the wonderful Yachad members who proudly persevere while managing their “diffabilities”, has been nothing less than inspirational.
Every day, people are presented with opportunities to support good causes. Please consider putting Chicago Yachad high on your list due to its wide-ranging impact on our local community and beyond. We would love to welcome you at the dinner, to see your journal ad supporting Yachad and/or have you donate according to your capability.
The time is short and the indispensable work of Yachad needs our support. We can attest that the return on your investment will be tremendous.
Thank you for your support,
Debra & Ira Clair