An important undertaking of Itanu Toronto - UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s inclusion initiative, is the establishment of a Community Inclusion Award of Excellence that recognizes an outstanding volunteer within Toronto’s Jewish community whose exceptional efforts have resulted in a more inclusive Jewish community for people with special needs. This of course could also include a person with special needs.
 
Can you imagine a world that is easily accessible and barrier free, one that allows all members of society to fully participate in community events? Can you imagine a society that is socially inclusive, warm and welcoming, for all people with special needs regardless of whether those disabilities are visible or not?  Key Jewish values of Chesed (compassion), Derech Eretz (respectful conduct) and K’vod Habriut (encouraging dignity for all human beings) illustrate that inclusion of all, regardless of ability is at the core of who we are as a Jewish people. 
 
The Community Inclusion Award of Excellence has been designed to bring the importance of physical and social inclusion to the attention of the entire Jewish community.  The aim is to honour and recognize an outstanding individual that has embraced inclusion and had an impact on the lives of people with special needs. 
 
Award Presentation
This year’s Community Inclusion Award will be presented at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s annual Award Night on May 23, 2012 in the Tamari Hall at the Lipa Green Centre. Presenting an inclusion award for an outstanding volunteer will highlight the significance of this issue for the entire Jewish community.

Click here to return to Itanu Toronto homepage.