When JUF and the Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics want to wish a happy new year to the Chicago Jewish community, they turn to Keshet’s GADOL program for help. GADOL is Keshet’s adult day program which provides community engagement, social opportunities and employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For the second year, the Sarnoff Center has hired GADOL participants to assist in packaging Rosh Hashanah gift bags that will be distributed to 35 local congregations. In total, GADOL team members and JUF volunteers will package over 10,000 gift bags this year! Each bag contains honey, candy and information about the Sarnoff Center’s services.

This project is a huge undertaking for everyone involved. In just the first week of work, GADOL put together more than 900 gift bags. When asked about this job, Samantha Potashnick, GADOL team member, wrote:

This year we are working with JUF to package lollipops, honey sticks, and brochures for Rosh Hashanah. I love it because I get to work more with the Jewish community. It gives you more job experience. I like listening to music while I do the packages with my friends. Rosh Hashanah is one of my favorite holidays because you get to hang out with family. Thank you to JUF for letting us participate in the packaging again this year!

Samantha’s sense of pride about this opportunity is echoed by everyone at GADOL. It’s a true team effort and partnership when we can participate in meaningful employment that benefits the community.

We look forward to contributing to this annual tradition for many years to come.

Shana Tova!

If you know of a local business the would benefit from hiring dedicated employees from GADOL, please connect them with Debbie Harris, Director of Adult Programs, at dharris@keshet.org.