Shavuot – Compassion, Kindness, Achdut
Dear Friends,
As Shavuot approaches, our hearts are filled with gratitude and anticipation for Z’man Matan Torateinu, the time when we received the Torah at Har Sinai. Shavuot reminds us that the Torah is a guide for living with compassion and kindness, and that strength of the Jewish people has always come from our unity, shared responsibility, and commitment to Hashem and to one another.
The Torah describes the Jewish people standing at Sinai as “Am Echad B’Lev Echad”, one people with one heart. When we, the Jewish people gathered at the foot of Har Sinai, we came from different backgrounds, experiences, generations, abilities, and perspectives, yet we stood together with shared purpose. That moment teaches us an enduring truth: every Jewish individual matters and every person belongs.
At Libenu, this message is central to our mission. Individuals with disabilities are vital and valued members of our community, deserving not only of support, but of meaningful inclusion, friendship, opportunity, and connection. A truly strong community is one in which every person is valued, respected, and embraced for who they are.
As Jews, we find ourselves living in challenging times that can feel overwhelming; however, it is in moments like these that the importance of Achdut, unity within the Jewish people is more important than ever. By standing together, supporting one another, and fostering a sense of inclusion and community we will navigate these difficulties with strength and resilience, as the Jewish people have done for millennia. Together, we will continue to illuminate the world with the light of the Torah, embodying its teachings in our lives and actions.
From all of us at Libenu, we wish you a Chag Shavuot Sameach – A happy and peaceful Shavuot.
Shana Erenberg, Ph.D. CEO
LiBAKEnu a Sweet Success!
LibAKEnu was a sweet success, bringing our community together in the spirit of Shavuot to support Libenu’s mission and the future of our new women’s home opening in fall 2026. We are deeply grateful to Chaya Tova and David Hartman for so generously opening their lovely home and creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere for this special event. A heartfelt thank you to the many volunteers whose delicious cheesecakes, challah, sourdough, and baked goods made the bake sale such a success, and to Dina Baker and Kaley Cohen for chairing the event with tremendous dedication and organization. Special thanks as well to Ayelet Liebtag, Michelle Rubin, and Miriam Friedman for their help with setup and preparation. Thank you to everyone who came to purchase baked goods. The day was a beautiful reflection of the kindness, generosity, and shared commitment of our remarkable community.
