February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM). Each Friday this month, we have cast a spotlight on an individual who embodies the values of JDAAIM. This is a project of LiNK Jewish Buffalo’s Belonging Initiative and today we conclude our series featuring David Rosenhoch.
David might be familiar to many after his previous Community Member spotlight in 2019, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah or his recent appearance in the virtual Buffalo Jewish Federation/Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies Annual Meeting.
David works at Elderwood Grand Island as a dietary aid. In his work, he enjoys bringing coffee, tea and hot chocolate to the residents as well as making sure the dining facility is ready for meals.
Outside of work, he enjoys attending his community habilitation program, ice skating, going to the gym and reading books to his nieces. David is also an excellent golfer.
Before, the pandemic, he was a frequent guest speaker in schools, sharing his story of living with a disability and his desire for all to be included. He also previously served as an aid at PALS (former) early childhood program at Temple Beth Zion and a madrich at the Temple’s religious School.
For many years, David has lived in a group home with his friends. This group home came together due to the hard work of his parents and other residents parents who wanted to create a home that their sons could thrive in.
LiNK’s Belonging vision is for all Jews, their friends and Life partners of other faiths, and people exploring Judaism to feel welcome to participate in Jewish living and learning experiences to the extent of their abilities and interest, and to find a space of belonging in Jewish Buffalo regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability. For more information on Belonging, please email Mike Steklof here.
