Bringing Judaism to Life on a Birthright Israel Accessibility and Inclusion Trip

Krissie Sharman, a young woman from Buffalo, New York, has built her life around kindness and community. “I like helping out people who are in need and having a hard time,” she said. Krissie volunteers at a local food pantry and with an animal rescue, caring for cats, dogs, and the occasional rabbit. She is close to her sister, Kristin, and every summer the two take part in War of 1812 reenactments across western New York. “Krissie dresses as one of the camp followers,” Kristin said, “and I dress as a soldier. We have a lot of fun — it’s something we do together as a family.” 

Krissie is on the autism spectrum, and Jewish faith and tradition have always been a meaningful part of her life. On Purim, she loves dressing up and dancing at her synagogue. On Rosh Hashanah, she listens for the shofar and dips apples in honey. When her family built their first sukkah on their back porch, Krissie took pride in helping decorate it and loved eating meals inside. 

Having grown up hearing stories about Israel, Krissie longed to see it for herself. “I wanted to go to Israel,” she said, “so that I could learn more about Judaism and see things I never saw before.” 

That opportunity came through OU and Birthright Israel’s Yachad program — a specialized trip designed for participants with developmental or cognitive differences who benefit from extra structure and individualized support. Before each trip, Yachad staff interview participants, families, and doctors to understand specific needs. Each participant has a trained aide, and itineraries are thoughtfully adjusted to create a supportive pace, minimize hotel changes, and provide a strong sense of security.  

Kristin said the program immediately put her family at ease. “We were worried that Krissie would be left somewhere on her own,” she recalled, “but they always had somebody with her. They took very good care of her.” 

For Krissie, the journey began with another first: flying on an airplane. “I was excited and a little bit nervous,” she admitted. When she landed in Israel, everything felt new and full of wonder. On her first day in Jerusalem, she stood on the Mount of Olives and looked out at the city she had only heard about in stories. On Shabbat, the group made Kiddush and recited the Shehecheyanu prayer. “I saw different parts of Jerusalem,” she said. “It was beautiful.” 

At the Kotel, Krissie learned about the meaning and history of the Western Wall. “People don’t just turn their backs when they leave the Wall. They walk backwards because it’s very holy.” She was moved by the sight of thousands of handwritten notes pressed between the stones. “I wrote something on a few notes and stuck it in the wall for prayers for my family and friends,” she recalled. “It felt so good to actually write a note and leave it there so that G-d would hear my prayer.” 

As she traveled, Krissie bonded with her roommate and made new friends. “We went together as a group,” she said proudly. “I felt a sense of connection and belonging.” 

Then, partway through the trip, everything changed. War broke out with Iran, and 2,800 Birthright Israel participants had to be evacuated from Israel by ship. The Birthright Israel and Yachad staff quickly shifted into action, keeping participants safe, calm, and comforted. Her sister Kristin was deeply impressed. “They played games and sang songs in the shelter,” she said. “They made everyone feel safe and helped them understand what was happening without causing fear.” 

For Kristin, seeing her sister experience Israel was deeply moving. “For someone like Krissie, physically having the experience was very important,” she said. “Abstract things can be harder for her. A lot of what we’d tried to explain made more sense when she actually saw it.” 

Since returning home, Krissie’s enthusiasm for Jewish life has only grown stronger. She helps her family prepare for Shabbat every week, lights candles and participates in Havdalah with new meaning. “I feel like I’m able to pray and connect with G-d more,” she said. “It helped me learn more about my heritage and the identity I was born with. I understand more on a deeper level.” 

The trip also gave her independence. “Now that I’ve traveled, I feel more confident,” Krissie said. “If I had to travel in the future, I could do it again.” She hopes to return to Israel soon to visit the places she missed. “I want to see more.” 

If her friends ever asked whether they should go on Birthright Israel, Krissie wouldn’t hesitate to encourage them. “Yeah, it’s fun,” she said. “You get to see things you never saw before—things that are very interesting and that you would like and enjoy.” 

She also wanted to express her gratitude to the donor who made her trip possible. “Thank you so much for letting me go,” she said. “Thank you for all you’ve put into the trip and for making it possible for us.” 

For Krissie, Birthright Israel transformed stories into experiences she could see, touch, and truly understand. It gave her a sense of belonging, pride, and confidence that continues to guide her. “In my heart,” she said, “I feel like I’m there.”