“Boom Chicka Boom” and building community with ETTA

The teens and adults were dressed in their Shabbat-best clothes enjoying the last of their roasted chicken, rice and veggies. when Josh Taff, Director of Outreach and Jewish Life, of ETTA, stood up in the social hall of Young Israel of Century City (YICC) and yelled out in a chant : “Repeat after me!”

Wide smiles broke out among all the participants with special needs and their teen volunteers, and everyone roared back, “Repeat after me!” followed up a joyous round of the summer-camp favorite, “I said a boom chicka boom!” with each particpant having a turn leading the cheers and chants. Our son, Danny, beamed with pride when it was his turn to be the songleader.

This was the 79th (!) ETTA Shabbaton for teens and adults held at various Orthodox synagogues around town. YICC was the very first venue when this program started many years ago, and we found the congregation very warm and welcoming in many ways, large and small. ETTA's mission is to help people with developmental disabilities, and the families who love them, to live fully enriched and active lives as members of the Los Angeles [Jewish] community.

Teenage and young adults with special needs stay overnight at the homes of the hosts, within walking distance from the shul, and together with the teen volunteers, attend Friday night and Saturday morning prayer services, and eat meals together, plus a lot of singing, dancing, cheers and games. By having fun and being silly together, friendships were forged and the ostensible differences fell away, replaced by hugs and holding hands. Thanks to the hard work of Leah  Schachter, Summer Camp Coordiantor, who oversaw the Shabbaton, everyone felt included and respected for who they are.

We orginally planned just to attend the Friday night service and dinner at YICC, since its a pretty long walk from our house, but when Danny woke up Saturday morning, the first word out of his mouth was “YICC” so off we went, to join in the fun, and another round of “Boom Chicka Boom”.