Category: J Stories

As one of the largest day programs for adults with disabilities, the Tucson J serves roughly 80 participants in its Disability Program Services (DPS) department, which encompasses both Arts for All, a full-day program that helps adults with disabilities build confidence and develop meaningful relationships through art, and Taglit, a full-day program for young adults with disabilities. Renowned nationwide, it was Taglit that initially drew Racquel Schnitzer and her family to Tucson.

In Raquel Schnitzer’s words, the J’s DPS department “is known pretty much nationwide as just an incredible, vibrant, all-encompassing program for adults with disabilities.”  

Taglit is designed to explore, cultivate, and maximize each participant’s potential. Two of Raquel’s children, Avi and Asher, are involved with Taglit, and Raquel serves on the J’s Board of Directors.   

“To be able to encompass living a Jewish life and having one of the best programs in the country was one of the reasons that we moved to Tucson. Not the only one, but one of them,” she said with a smile. 

Raquel explained that Taglit stands out from other programs because it “doesn’t function in and of itself. You see the preschoolers and you see the senior citizens, you see folks coming to work out. You see all it is that the J has to offer, and Taglit is a part of that – an important part of it, not less, not more, just a part of the community, and a fully embraced program. And to me, to be able to walk in and see folks with disabilities who are just equal to everyone else in the building meant so much to me and means so much to them.” 

Any Tucson J member, guest or staff member would agree – Taglit is an important part of our community and one that naturally integrates into all that the J and the Tucson community have to offer. From acting out the story of Passover to the toddlers in Early Childhood Education, to enjoying the pool in the summer, or taking regular trips to Tucson favorites like the Reid Park Zoo, Taglit is a treasured part of our community.  

“What makes it special is a commitment to each individual participant,” said Raquel. “And I have two adult children with disabilities and their needs clearly are very different.” 

“Avi is what’s called total care. Avi can’t speak, which is always a concern to me because he can’t tell me, ‘how is your day?’ or ‘how did things go?’ Avi is 26 and I can’t often say that I don’t worry about him in the scope of his lifetime. The two and a half years we’ve been in Taglit, I can’t say that because I trust these folks implicitly. They probably worry more about him than I do,” Raquel said with a chuckle. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic and aftermath, disability programs suffered due to several reasons, but, said Raquel, “even as challenging as it was, I never felt that Avi’s care was jeopardized at all. Within the last year and a half, I can really see that not only did Taglit weather that post-Covid storm, but it’s used that opportunity to reshape and thrive the program.” 

Both as a parent, member, and board member, Raquel explained that “there’s some secret sauce [at the Tucson J], and there is some true commitment to everybody belonging that is infused in everything. And I think Taglit is a perfect example. Is it the easiest program sometimes? No. Does it make the most money? Probably not. But is there a commitment to making sure that it’s there? Yes. And I hear it everywhere- it’s at board meetings, it’s at Taglit meetings, when I’m working out at the gym. It’s a true commitment.” 

JCCs are known as welcoming spaces where all types of people feel comfortable gathering for a variety of activities. The JCC Association of North America observes “Eight Guiding Principles on Inclusion,” which provides best practices for inclusion.  

“I think as Jewish people, and especially lately, we know what it’s like to be different. We know what it’s like sometimes to be scared or maybe not to feel safe. And certainly, especially lately, not to feel welcome. And Taglit encompasses all of those things,” said Raquel with a smile.  

“Every single one of these participants is not only welcomed but valued equally. And it’s a gift to them. It’s a gift to our family. It’s a gift to this building. And frankly, it’s a gift to the broader community and the broader Jewish world because we’re showing what can be done.”