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HOUSTON, November 1, 2024—Congregation Beth Yeshurun is teaming up with the nonprofit organization Jewish National Fund-USA on Tuesday, November 12, to host “The Sound of Resilience,” a complimentary community-wide event supporting the land and people of Israel and highlighting rebuilding and resilience initiatives taking place throughout Israel’s North and South.
The inspirational evening will feature an exclusive and rare performance from the Special in Uniform Band. These musically inclined Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers with disabilities perform with pride, passion, and talent, inspiring global audiences and showing the world that there are no limits.
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The Special In Uniform Band Performing
“We are honored to welcome this incredible group to our congregation,” said Rabbi Brian Strauss, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Yeshurun. “We are all doing what we can to celebrate and help Israel during this time.”
In addition to spearheading efforts to create secure, beautiful havens for the residents of displaced communities to return home, Jewish National Fund-USA provides resilience and emotional therapy support to individuals in Israel’s hardest-hit communities. Among many other bold and visionary initiatives, the organization also focuses on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in Israel.
Since 2014, Jewish National Fund-USA and its partners (donors) nationwide have supported Special in Uniform, the only program of its kind in the world that integrates young adults with disabilities into various sectors of the Israeli military, where they serve according to their unique talents and abilities. Today, more than 950 participants are enrolled in Special in Uniform, and the Special in Uniform Band has performed over 500 times throughout the United States and Israel.
Member of JNF-USA's Special in Uniform Band
“We believe that everybody has an ability, even if they have certain challenges that they have to overcome,” said Special in Uniform’s Director, Lt. Col. (Res) Tiran Attia. “If we find this ability, we can boost it and empower these young adults to reach their full potential. Our program also assists these individuals with the transition out of the army and into the workforce so they can be productive and successful members of Israeli society while continuing to achieve greatness in all aspects of their lives.”
In addition to Special in Uniform, Jewish National Fund-USA also provides cutting-edge rehabilitative services, special education, and medical care for people with disabilities and makes Israel’s parks, nature trails, and recreational facilities inclusive for visitors of all ability levels.
For more information or to register for the event, jnf.org/soundresilience or contact Reagan Weil, Jewish National Fund-USA Executive Director, Southwest, at rweil@jnf.org or 512-410-1438 x947.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As a leading philanthropic movement, the organization supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south as it develops new communities in the Negev and Galilee, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, and heritage site preservation, all while running a fully accredited study abroad experience through its Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more at jnf.org.