"Kick Me!"

“Can you imagine wearing a “kick me” sign on your back, and not being able to take it off?”  That was one of the many moving lines that Tikvah Juni shared at last night’s Friendship Circle Garden Party that my brother and sister-in-law hosted. 

Tikvah is a woman with Down’s Syndrome.  She was flown out to speak to all of us – friends, supporters and volunteers at the Friendship Circle in Los Angeles.  Her story moved us all to tears, and climaxed with a long and thunderous standing ovation.

  She spoke about what it feels like to be different.  About the pain and hurt she experienced as a child.  She reflected on the joy she had when she was once invited to a slumber-party by the “cool girls”.  She didn’t think twice when she was told that it would cost her money to attend the party.  She asked us all to stop and imagine the pain and hurt she felt when she later found out that she was the only girl who was asked to pay… 

With a huge smile, she shared:  “Being socially awkward, being in a wheelchair, being different – that’s HARD!  Being friendly?  That’s EASY!”   That got us all really thinking.  It is often hard to be friendly to people that are different.  But to think about how much harder their life is…!

And that’s when she shared what it feels like to wear a label “different” and not be able to take it off.  To wear a metaphorical sign that reads “kick me!” and not be able to rid yourself of it.

We have an incredible member of our Oxnard community with special needs.  He is truly loved and cherished by all.  He brings joy and laughter with his random comments that come from left field at any moment.  See, when it comes to people with outright special needs – in a way it might not be so hard to be warm and kind. 

But Tikvah mentioned people who are simply socially awkward.  How they didn’t choose to be like that. 

I never really thought about it that way.  In every social circle there are those that simply don’t “fit in” for whatever reason.  But it’s not their fault!

Living with Moshiach’s imminent arrival in mind, I hope to take steps towards true inclusion.  Including everyone into the community and making room in my heart for every type of person. 

The ultimate “inclusion” awaits us!  A world where everyone truly fits in!  Where every single person is valued and treasured for who they are.  Forget about “kick me!” I think we’ll be saying “pinch me!” when we see the world the way it will appear during that special time…

Rabbi Dov and I at the Friendship Circle Garden Party. Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, is directed by my brother Rabbi Michy and his wife Miriam Rav-Noy.