By Liora Rosen, Israel & Overseas Program Manager Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
When we think of a shared society, especially in the context of Israel, we often think of Jews and Arabs, or Israelis and Palestinians, but there are many aspects of the society in which inequality, discrimination, and inequity persist, and many Israeli NGOs are focused on addressing these issues.
In this coming year, we will introduce you to some of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s partner organizations in Israel. Reflecting our Federation’s values of Tzedakah, Community, Tikkun Olam, Responsibility for fellow Jews (Kol Israel aravim zeh bazeh—all of Israel is responsible for one another), Chesed (Compassion), and Collaboration, these organizations are working hard to build a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and integrated Israeli society. Federation is proud to share in their vision and support their work.
One organization with which Federation partners, that exemplifies these values is called Krembo Wings.
When one thinks about youth movements in the US, you might think about a religiously affiliated program, with acronyms such as USY, BBYO, AARTY, NIFTY, etc., or perhaps Boy / Girl Scouts. Those who grew up in these movements may recall monthly get-togethers, regional Shabbatons and national, or international social gatherings.
Youth movements in Israel are an entirely different game; they are more similar to teen sports in Ann Arbor – structured, organized, all-consuming (just ask the parents), and represent a large portion of a teenager’s social group. But perhaps that is where the similarities end, because membership in a youth movement in Israel is a formative aspect of growing up in Israel and an integral part of society; and it sure seems like most Israeli kids are in one, starting at a young age and continuing through high school.
Yet, the majority of the youth movements in Israel, or around the world for that matter, cannot and do not accommodate young people with disabilities. All of the issues that affect young people, such as access to education and building a social life, also affect youth with disabilities, but in a far more complex way. Attitudes and discrimination linked to disability make it much more difficult for them to go to school, to make friends and to participate in local activities. In many communities, the environment is immensely challenging, with physical and communication barriers that make it hard for them to participate fully.
Enter Krembo Wings!
Krembo Wings is a national youth movement in Israel for children and adolescents both with and without disabilities. The organization aims to promote shared, inclusive activities that engender a sense of belonging. The encounters taking place in the movement contribute to raising the social awareness and familiarity of its members with a much broader spectrum of people in Israeli society. Krembo Wings seeks to provide a foundation that allows all its members, those with and without disabilities, to take part in accessible and specially-tailored activities that address the emotional and social needs of those participants with disabilities. Their motto is “Together, creating a meaningful place for everyone” – and this means for youth of all abilities and backgrounds. Krembo Wings is a place where everyone is equal and everyone truly belongs.
The first and only youth movement of its kind, Krembo Wings has thousands of activists, also known as counselors, mentors and peers – participants see it as their actual youth movement and do not refer to their participation in it as “volunteering”.
Krembo Wings holds an informal social-educational activity once a week in the afternoon, in the model of individual tutoring – in a group setting. Most of the tutors are teens from local public schools. Their participation with Krembo Wings is integral to increasing public awareness of high needs populations and social accessibility, as well as addressing the emotional and social needs, and the integration of those with limitations, into the Israeli society.
Krembo Wings also believes that fighting stigmas, attitudes and discrimination needs to start from a young age. It therefore provides training to kindergarten teachers to educate the very youngest students on how to be more inclusive and embrace differences.
Recognizing the power of their work and the impact Krembo Wings has made on Israeli society, Krembo Wings youths were invited to share their experiences at the Global Disability Summit for Youth.
And because they reflect so many of the values that the local Washtenaw County Jewish community holds dear, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor is proud to support their efforts through community member donations to the Annual Community Campaign.
For more information about Krembo Wings or other Israel/Overseas allocations, please contact Liora Rosen, liora@jewishannarbor.org or 734-773-3534.