By Jennifer Korn
A new initiative by Jewish National Fund-USA's Special in Uniform is unlocking the secret musical talents of people with disabilities.
Amother with tears of joy in her eyes watches on as her disabled 18-year-old daughter sings her heart out to a hit pop song. However, this isn’t a private recital. Rather, her daughter is singing with three-time Israeli Women of the Year and the country’s hottest pop star, Eden Ben Zaken in a professionally produced music video. Welcome to the world of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Special in Uniform and their Music Inclusion Program.
Special in Uniform participants are finding their musical talents
Special in Uniform is the only program of its kind in the world where young Israelis with disabilities are given the opportunity to volunteer and serve their country in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In addition to the deep sense of inclusion that the participants feel, the initiative also gives them valuable skills that enable them to find meaningful employment after their service.
With the launch of Special in Uniform’s Music Inclusion Program, people with disabilities are given a chance to participate in the legendary music tradition of the IDF, where they can develop and share their musical talent with the world. The program helps soldiers reach their full potential and empowers them to take up roles that are perfectly suited to their unique skill sets.
“Serving in the army when you turn 18 is a rite of passage in Israel. It's a way of life. It’s your landmark, it’s your statement,” said JNF-USA National Campaign Director, Sharon Joy. “So now that we're able to offer this to young people with disabilities is beyond emotional.”
The unique Music Inclusion Program is more than just a pastime for its performers; it’s the key to their future. With the program’s focus on those with musical talent, the initiative helps participants integrate into existing IDF bands and establishes connections with professional and amateur musicians who serve as mentors both during and after the participants’ service.
A Special in Uniform soldier salutes an officer at her IDF base.
Born at the height of the pandemic, the music program was established after Special in Uniform’s participants had to return to their homes as part of a nationwide lockdown. “People with certain types of disabilities find it important to keep a regular schedule,” explained Director of JNF-USA’s Task Force on Disabilities, Yossi Kahana.
When social workers traveled to visit the soldiers at home to try to create a sense of normalcy, they realized that some of the soldiers had outstanding musical talent. Thus, the idea of the band was born. The music academy at the University of Tel Aviv offered professional coaching and soon, a whole group of musically gifted individuals emerged.
“We said, ‘let’s do a band,’ and eventually,’ let's do this band together with the IDF’s Band. We can come together and really change lives,’” said Kahana. “We thought it was going to be a very small thing, just a nice thing to have. But it became such a hit, such an attractive band that now they have a concert scheduled almost every day.”
This combined effort was helped by Ido Dekel, a former producer of the IDF’s Air Force band, who got the idea to help after welcoming a Special in Uniform soldier into the Air Force’s band.
Special in Uniform musicians integrate into the broader IDF entertainment troupe
The IDF’s band is legendary, known throughout the country for producing some of the top musical talents in Israel. It seemed only natural to Special in Uniform’s leadership team that the program’s soldiers would also get an opportunity to explore their musical abilities. “Many times, music is the language that speaks to everyone everywhere, and when a group of people with disabilities are standing on the stage, singing with such beautiful harmony, and sharing love with commanders and soldiers in the army, it naturally brings the people that listen to them the motivation to welcome them to the army and say, ‘look at us. We are all together here,’” said Kahana.
Many of the Special in Uniform band members did not realize they had musical talent until auditioning for the new program. “The discovery that they have these incredible talents, that a young girl has a voice that she never knew she had except for, like all of us, singing in the shower, is incredible,” added Joy, who also oversees Jewish National Fund-USA’s Arts & Entertainment Task Force.
The band has grown immensely since its creation, exploding in popularity and gaining international attention. The musicians even partnered with top Israeli musical talents like Eden Ben Zaken, who joined the group for a special musical performance. Together with the X Factor winner, the Special in Uniform band sang A Letter to my Brother by Elai Botner. The song was chosen by the group to communicate their own paths to achieving independence as young people with disabilities.
Members of the band are not only excited to be playing music and building confidence but are also overjoyed to get a chance to do something they never thought possible – serve in the IDF. “This is one of their dreams that was taken from them when they got a letter from the army saying they could not serve due to their disability,” explained Attia. “They are tremendously happy about wearing the uniform and serving. I can tell you that a lot of them are not sleeping the day before they come to the base due to their excitement.”
As the band looks towards the future, planning is already underway for more concerts in Israel and across the world; and you may just get to see this special band play at a venue near you soon.
During Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month, every gift will be matched, up to $1 million, through Feb. 28, 2022. For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA’s support for people with disabilities, contact Yossi Kahana at ykahana@jnf.org. For more information about the organization’s Arts & Entertainment Task Force, contact Sharon Joy at sjoy@jnf.org