Kindness is one of the ultimate Jewish values, and so is leaving no one behind. In that spirit, Vista Del Mar’s House of Lovingkindness, Beit Chesed, will host its second annual “Neurodiversity of Kindness” performance and art show on Sunday, April 27 at its West Los Angeles campus. The event, co-produced by Vista’s Director of Spiritual Enrichment Rabbi Jackie Redner and Harri James O’Kelley of The O’Kelley Lab, features storytellers of all abilities in a variety of disciplines.
“Our family has received so much love and support from Rabbi Jackie and Vista’s programs over the years,” O’Kelley, a mother of three special needs young adults and creative community partner, told The Journal. “I’m so grateful for the huge difference that Vista made in our family’s life and grateful for the opportunity to work with Rabbi Jackie again to bring this show back to Vista.
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, neurodivergent performers will share stories about kindness and compassion through music, dance and film, as well as a silent presence woven between the acts. There will also be a companion art show, as well as a table from Autism In Entertainment (AIE), where autistic individuals and families can learn more about opportunities from their community partner organizations.
“Vista Del Mar’s mission has always been to both bear witness to … and nurture the light in each young person who comes into our care — to protect it and affirm its preciousness … until it can shine bright all on its own,” Redner told The Journal. “The ‘Neurodiversity of Kindness’ event is magnificent because of the light being shared and received by all participants: performers, viewers and all who make the show happen behind the scenes.”
Performers and artists from Straight Up Abilities, Spectrum Laboratory, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Able ARTS Work and LA Goal will be back this year, as well as the Vista Del Mar choir.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Harri on this project of heart,” Redner said. “And to know we have the full support of Vista’s President and CEO Lena Wilson, who will be singing in our Vista choir during this event and sharing her own beautiful light.”
New to this year’s “Neurodiversity of Kindness” include Exceptional Minds talent, neurodivergent choreographer Brian Golden, a CalArts student, and neurodivergent composer Isaiah Scanlon, a Bridges Academy high school student. Voice actors Mallory Reese and Tyler Berman, who are Spectrum Laboratory’s real-life “Love on the Spectrum” couple, will emcee, along with Redner, who is the host. “It’s an honor and privilege being part of anything that helps promote anything that’s related to neurodiversity and art in a positive light,” Berman, who is proud that he gets to do it in a Jewish setting, told The Journal.
“I used to believe that my abilities and gifts had nothing to do with my struggles,” Reese told the Journal. “Over the past year, I’ve come to realize that they are two sides of the autism coin.” She is excited and hopeful that this event will open people’s eyes. “I want everyone to see how our daily battles strengthen each and every one of us,” she said. “That we are gifted because of it.”
O’Kelley, who loves discovering and collaborating with neurodivergent talent, is thrilled to once again create an opportunity for special needs individuals and interns to work with industry volunteer mentors, either on their performances or in learning how to put a theater show together.
“In developing this year’s show, my hope is to highlight the kindness and gratitude that these talented performers and non-profit partners generate in our community,” O’Kelley said. “An event like this could only be made possible by an organization like Vista Del Mar, which has been committed to the mental health and well-being of children and families in our community for over 100 years.”
Added Redner, “Those who enter … the sacred space … for this year’s event, will delight in a celebration of neurodivergent artists and performers, and those who support them; I can’t wait to revel in the joy of this beautiful event!”
Vista House of Lovingkindness, Beit Chesed, is an inclusive and multi-generational community of belonging who gather to share community service experiences, monthly virtual shabbat events and community mind-body medicine healing classes.
The “Neurodiversity of Kindness” takes place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 3:30-5:30pm at the Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, 3200 Motor Avenue, in West Los Angeles. Learn more at: https://www.vistadelmar.org/events/the-neurodiversity-of-kindness.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.