Every winter, Chanukah comes around and Jews across the world turn out to celebrate. We pray, light candles, fry up special foods and listen to music, with some even stringing up blue and white lights and throwing full-blown parties.
But what do you do if you need special accommodations? What if the lights are too bright, and the music is too loud?
Jewish Community Services throws a party every winter that is accommodating of everyone but largely designed for those who have such needs. On Dec. 18, the Holiday Hoopla for Teens and Adults with Disabilities returns to the Park Heights JCC, with plenty of food and fun, as well as less intense lighting, softer music and staff who can make everyone feel comfortable, including people with disabilities.
Jamie Leboe, associate senior manager of Employment Support Services at Jewish Community Services, said that the party has been a staple of the agency’s calendar since before she joined more than a decade ago.
“I’ve been with JCS for 13 years, and the party has been around since before that,” Leboe said. “It’s important to provide joy for everyone and different people feel comfortable celebrating in different ways.”
A major idea behind the party is that it is for everyone — which includes people without disabilities too, even though there are accommodations for those who have them. JCS invites the entire community — able-bodied, disabled folks, Jews and non-Jews all come for a free night of fun.
“There aren’t always special activities for people with disabilities. We want to be inclusive. I don’t want it to sound like it’s exclusive, because anyone and everyone is invited, but it’s really special for this population of people who have disabilities and their peers so they can get together and enjoy the season,” Leboe said.
The party has plenty of elements that appeal to everyone. Pizza, potato latkes and sufganiyot will be served, and a DJ plays music. There are games and activities, too. Even the DJ is a veteran of the party, and he knows how to play to a diverse crowd.
“[Larry Adler] has been with this group for many years,” Leboe said. “They love him, so he plays games geared towards what they like and music geared towards what they like.”
A relatively common sight at the event is folks using headphones while they enjoy the party, as even these reduced noise levels may be too loud. Personal accommodations like that are always welcomed. Leboe said it all goes toward one idea: inclusivity is essential.
“We try to tie in the whole season, not just [Chanukah],” she said. “It’s mostly geared towards Chanukah, but basically, it’s a party.”
For Leboe, the community’s commitment to making the Holiday Hoopla go off without a hitch is key. The first year that she took over the planning process for the party was 2020, the year of COVID-19, and the reaction from usual attendees and others shows how much this event means to the community.
“We did a virtual party with the DJ and everything,” Leboe said. “We had families come, not just the people we support. During that time, it was difficult for people to get together, and some of our people hadn’t seen their family members in quite some time because we were abiding by the safety restrictions. It was really fun to have everyone see each other — we danced, we sang, my husband and I lit the menorah on the screen.”
The party is for everyone, and time after time, the staff at JCS hears great things about what they are doing. That feedback helps keep the momentum rolling, as it has been for many, many years.
“You hear positive things and see people coming back year after year,” Leboe said.
