Jewish Hungary for All Abilities: Experiencing a More Inclusive Jewish World with JDC Entwine

Last September, Ian Knight and Noam Schuldenrein had the journey of a lifetime: They attended Access Jewish Hungary, a trip for Jews of all abilities hosted by JDC Entwine and Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan’s Adaptations Program.

As we wrap up Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), we sat down with Knight and Schuldenrein to learn more about what made this experience so unique as well as their hopes for those with disabilities. 

Let’s start by telling us a little about yourselves and your connection to Jewish life.

Ian Knight: I grew up in New York andI’ve spent a lot of my time at the Meyerson Jewish Community Center (JCC). My Jewish life revolves mainly around the program Adaptations — a social program for people with special needs, different abilities. I’m also heavily involved in their 20s and 30s group. I really enjoy it.

Noam Schuldenrein: Going back into my family history, all four of my late grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and this has definitely shaped my Jewish experience. I actually think this is what led me to intern at the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. I also used to sing in a Jewish chorus that performed at the annual gathering of Holocaust Remembrance in New York’s Temple Emanu-El each April. 

Both of you are involved in Adaptations. Can you say a little more about this program? 

NS: Adaptations is essentially a group for neurodiverse adults that hosts different activities ranging from board games to Sunday getaway trips to karaoke nights to global travel. They create an inclusive, accepting, supportive, and welcoming space for neurodiverse people. It’s a place where you can connect with people just like yourself. 

IK: I’m actually part of the board of Adaptations, and we strive to create the best possible program for our participants — celebrations, events, and other outings for people with different abilities. Just recently, we organized our big New Year’s Eve party, which is always fun. It is a deeply meaningful place for me. 

How did you first hear about this trip? What inspired you to go?

IK: I enjoy traveling, and wherever I go, I love connecting with both the Jewish community and the special needs community. So, when I heard about this trip, I just couldn’t say no.

I knew and trusted Adaptations — after all, I’ve been on plenty of other trips with them. I’ve been to Italy, I’ve been on a cruise to Bermuda, and a few years ago, I even went on a European cruise. During that trip, we went to a restaurant called Café Joyeux, and this just happens to be where I work today (at their Manhattan location)! 

NS: I knew this trip would be meaningful. Both of my late grandparents on my dad’s side were from Poland, and though we weren’t going to Poland, we were at least traveling to the same region of Europe. 

But this wasn’t just a heritage trip — it was tailored for Jews of all abilities, and that certainly played a part in my desire to go. Though I can travel and hang out in neurotypical settings, I’ve always had a preference, and honestly, more of a comfort, for neurodivergent Jewish settings. This was a rare opportunity to do just that. 

What was the most memorable and/or enjoyable part of the trip? What sticks with you now, months later? 

IK: I don’t think I could pick just one moment — there were lots. I enjoyed visiting the JCC Budapest – Bálint Ház, seeing the Jewish community, and being a part of that history, however briefly.

I suppose I most enjoyed celebrating Shabbat with the community. I love hearing services partly conducted in a different language (Hungarian, in this case). Even though I couldn’t really understand those moments, it was still such a special experience. 

NS: One aspect of the trip that I genuinely loved was going to the Dohány Synagogue, the second-largest synagogue in the world. I was in awe of the synagogue’s historical significance and I was touched that this building is so connected to my own heritage.

IK: Besides the historical tours and the site visits, there was also the social aspect of the trip. I enjoyed hanging out with all the participants in restaurants and cafés — people who were so similar to me in key ways. Together, we were just one community. 

How did the trip address themes of disabilities and Jewishness? Were there specific site visits or discussions that related to these two topics? 

IK: We had the privilege of visiting JDC’s Mozaik Hub —  a professional platform that provides infrastructure, co-working space, customized professional support, learning opportunities and financial support for Jewish community NGOs and initiatives in Hungary. While there, we met with Mircea Cernov, the JDC Hungary director who has been involved with Mozaik Hub for many years, learning from him about organizations that are working with people with disabilities in the community. 

NS: I think we touched on these themes quite a bit. We listened to a presentation  connected to JDC’s Israel Unlimited initiative, a program that advances inclusion and independence for Israelis with disabilities. He spoke about his work, and that resonated with me quite a bit. We also had in-depth discussions relating what we’d seen to our daily lives back home, and learned about how JDC promotes acceptance and inclusion of people of all abilities around the world. 

What did you find unique or special about JDC Entwine and its approach to travel, learning, and engagement with Jewish life? 

NS: Entwine offers something rare and unique — they create spaces not only for Jews with disabilities, but for Jews of all identities, from all walks of life. I’d encourage everyone to go on a JDC Entwine trip just to experience that same feeling of real acceptance and real edification about Jewish Hungary or any other location around the globe. 

IK: Agreed. I’ll add that I appreciate how JDC Entwine included Adaptations — it was a real partnership between the two organizations, and I cherish that.

Coming out of this trip, what did you feel inspired and/or empowered to do once you got back home?

NS: I’m a receptionist for a day habilitation program — we work with people who have developmental and intellectual differences — so that empowered me to really do my job well, to make everyone feel welcome. I’m the first face people see when people essentially walk into the program — I wanted to make sure they never felt dismissed. 

Why is it important to have a month dedicated to Jews with disabilities?

IK: I think it’s important for everyone just to be aware of those with disabilities — to really know about our lives. I think JDAIM helps raise that awareness in the Jewish community. 

NS: Whether it be developmental, intellectual, or anything else, I believe that Jews with disabilities, and all people with disabilities, have so much to offer the world. We have so many talents and strengths that I feel just go unnoticed and unrecognized. 

I believe we should be embraced, appreciated, celebrated, and seen as the true heroes we really are. Having a month like JDAIM is a chance for all of us to begin that work. 

We should be embraced, appreciated, celebrated, and seen as the true heroes we really are.

Finally, what’s the most important thing you want people to know about living with a disability?

IK: I want people with disabilities to have the same opportunities as everyone else. People with disabilities may have a different view of things, but it’s always good to have people with different perspectives — this can only enrich us and make us more resilient. 

NS: I want a world where Jews with disabilities have access to the same opportunities as neurotypicals, where if one person expresses that they have a difference or need assistance, people won’t judge them for that, but happily offer them help and recognize their strengths. 

If you really look at it, everyone needs help in some way. They may not be diagnosed, but everyone struggles with something — that’s just part of life. We’re all amazing, and I don’t believe that I have a disability; rather, it’s a superpower. Hopefully, others can begin to see that, too. 

Ian Knight serves as a board member of Adaptations, a dynamic, supportive, social community for adults at the Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Diverse Abilities (CDA) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Outside of work, Knight loves to travel, meet new people and make a positive difference in the world. 

Noam Schuldenrein serves as an Administrative Operations Assistant for the AHRC, an organization dedicated to advocating for people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. In his free time, Schuldenrein likes to travel, read, go to museums, and try different ethnic foods from around the world.

ABOUT THE MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN
Together with its community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn within an ever-changing Jewish landscape. Located at 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, the JCC is a vibrant non-profit community center on the Upper West Side. 

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