‘Amazing’ Birthright trip caters to special needs

If Max Zwain had to describe his trip to Israel in one word, he would choose “amazing.”

The 24-year-old Livingston resident recently participated in a one-of-a-kind program, a Birthright Israel trip for Jewish youth with special needs.

Designed to accommodate medium-to-high-functioning young adults with developmental disabilities, the trip, organized through Birthright: Mayanot, is now in its fifth year. It is held in partnership with the Friendship Circle, Chabad’s outreach program that recruits teens to assist youngsters with special needs and their families.

From June 25 to July 5, Max was a member of a group of 33 young adults, 26 of them with special needs. He has apraxia, a disorder of the brain and nervous system that hinders performance; Russell-Silver Syndrome, a growth and endocrine disorder; and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, which is on the higher end of the autism spectrum. continue...