A concert to honor youth with and without special needs who fought isolation during the pandemic year will take place live outside West Hartford Town Hall.

Submitted

On Sunday, June 6, the acclaimed Rogers Park Band will rock the stage live in concert outside the West Hartford Town Hall.

Rogers Park – America’s only hassidic folk rock band, is an award winning indie folk band based out of Chicago, IL. It will be extra refreshing to gather in a safe way outdoors, following a challenging year of isolation.

The concert, open to all, will be honoring the children, teens, and young adults living with and without disability that joined together in friendship, fighting isolation, despite all odds, during the pandemic year.

There will be a special highlight rejoicing with those who missed the opportunity to properly mark their Bar/Bat Mitzvah milestones during the pandemic year!

Friendship Circle brings together toddlers through young adults, with and without special needs, for a variety of Judaic and social programming.

The challenges of the pandemic especially impacted the segment of the community living with disability, for whom social connections can be a huge and hurtful challenge even during normal times.

Despite all this, the children, teens, and young adults in Friendship Circle pivoted to keep the connection alive. Whether through virtual weekly meet ups, in-person meet ups outdoors as well as outdoor art and music programs.

At the heart of the organization is a group of dedicated teenage volunteers from local high schools who give freely of their time, devotion and unconditional love and support.

Inspired by the magic of genuine friendship and further understanding, our members are encouraged to see the abilities in others, empowering everyone to develop a more accommodating and welcoming Jewish community for all.

In the fall of 2009, Chabad of Greater Hartford began the Friendship Circle with two groups; 13 years later Friendship Circle has multiple programs and 100 members.

Friendship Circle has truly impacted many lives in our community.

“After receiving diagnoses for our son Gabe, we felt all these doors close,” shared Barbara Dell, a mother of a child in Friendship Circle. “Many of our dreams and hopes for our child had been dashed. Through our involvement with Friendship Circle, slowly, new doors began to open. Connections were made with teens, fellow moms and lots of families that learn from and support each other. We began to feel a part of a warm, inclusive community.”

The celebration on June 6 will be a fun afternoon with a live concert by award-winning, Rogers Park Band with their unique Jewish songs ranging from hip-hop dance tracks to rock anthems, videos, presentations from Friendship Circle participants highlighting the work of Friendship circle and its impact on our community.

All are invited to participate and see the magic of Friendship Circle honor its members, children, teen, and young adults with or without special needs.

See how our youth have been empowered to rise above society’s expectations of self-involved teens and carry the hope for an enlightened future.

The event will take place on Sunday, June 6, beginning at 3 p.m. in the lot outside West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main St.

There will be COVID-safe seating as well as a drive-in option.

Event entry is $36 for adults and $18 for children. Ad and sponsorship opportunities are available.

To RSVP or for ads go to www.FriendshipCircleCT.com/Celebrate, email [email protected] or call 860-833-4035.

Friendship Circle is a project of Chabad of Greater Hartford.

You can learn more about the Friendship Circle and the programs we offer by visiting our website www.FriendshipCircleCT.com, email [email protected] or call: 860-833-4035.

More about Rogers Park Band:

Their music ranges from folksy sounding originals, Hassidic melodies and some oldie classics. They have been called the Jewish version of Simon and Garfunkel. They focus on harmonic anomalies with a blend of folk and rock.  Their show consists of original songs, parodies, and a blend of stories and jokes.”

Rogers Park had their first cross-continent tour in the summer of 2012 partnering with Bike 4 Friendship (a cross-country bicycling trip that raised awareness and funds for “The Friendship Circle”). Since then Rogers Park has found a niche in catering to the special needs community.

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