Of the dozens of concession stands at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, one has been especially popular since it first opened last year: Yachad’s Kosher Grill boasts a diverse menu of hotdogs, corned beef, turkey and pastrami wraps, sushi, water and beer. Yet beyond its tasty offerings, Baltimore Ravens fans are increasingly drawn to the booth’s unique combination of kosher food served by employees with disabilities.
“Fans are just so intrigued when they see our stand, which is a double attraction,” says Yachad’s assistant director Michael Appelbaum. “People don’t expect to see our group, serving kosher food to boot. Everyone thinks it’s really cool. It’s a Kiddush Hashem. Fans can buy their food at one of any of the stadium’s 55 stands, but they choose to support us, and we are so grateful.”
He adds, “None of this would have been possible without our partners, the Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, its official food and beverage provider, Levy’s Restaurants, the Jewish Union Foundation, which runs Yachad’s vocational program, and the Baltimore-based Star-K, which is graciously supervising the kashrus pro bono in support of our initiative.”
A division of the Orthodox Union, Yachad helps individuals with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities participate more fully in the community, via social, recreational, educational and vocational programs in 10 regions across the United States, Israel and Canada.
“Yachad’s mission centers on three pillars that define an individual’s personality and feelings of self-worth: their relationships, their education and their job,” says Appelbaum. “Yachad’s Kosher Grill is a microcosm of what we’re trying to accomplish—which is to give our participants more meaningful experiences in community settings where they can integrate and be their best selves as contributing members.”
The Jewish Union Foundation operates vocational training programs in New York and New Jersey. In November, it will open a full-time, adult-day program in Baltimore, which will include vocational training. More than 110 people are enrolled, and about 30 participants are employed, largely in the retail, food service and office administration sectors. Depending on the individual being trained, vocational training can span weeks to years.
At the Ravens’s recent home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Yachad’s Kosher Grill served dozens of patrons. It is staffed by up to three Yachad participants who work alongside one to two supervisors per game. Employees are selected based on their interest and abilities to handle tasks including stocking and organizing the fridge, plating food and filling orders correctly.
Yosef Katz and Eli Tarshish were thrilled to run the first shift of the season.
“My favorite part of running the grill was making the customers happy,” says Tarshish. “I really look forward to working the Yachad Kosher stand again.”
Katz adds, “I love that I was able to contribute to the teamwork of our kosher stand.”
In addition to sports fans’ overwhelming support, Yachad has received wonderful feedback about the endeavor from participants and their families.
“Many of our participants saw their compensation as a bonus,” Appelbaum reflects. “They were simply thrilled to be in the Ravens stadium, watching a football game, and serving people food. Their parents were equally delighted; so many expressed gratitude for giving their children a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
With the stadium’s seating capacity of 71,008, Yachad’s international director Avromie Adler sees the stand’s tremendous visibility as a significant win for individuals with disabilities everywhere.
“Yachad’s Kosher Grill continues to be a trailblazer far beyond the Jewish community,” he says. “We are so proud of our participants who are highlighting the integral roles that individuals with disabilities play in society.”
Yachad Baltimore director Sima Levine agrees.
“Yachad’s Kosher Grill is a great way to build participants’ confidence and self-esteem,” she says. “Not only are they actively involved in operating and manning the booth; the experience enables them to be seen and to be active members of the community at large.”
Yachad’s Kosher Grill is the brainchild of Ravens fan Barry Nabozny, whose son, Yoni, is a Yachad participant and shares his dad’s love for the team.
“The stadium previously had a kosher stand,” he says. “I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for Yachad and JUF to reopen one where Yachad participants could work, and simultaneously create awareness for the general public about the value of people with disabilities. Last year was overwhelmingly successful, and we’re expecting Yachad’s Kosher Grill to be even more popular this year—and not only because we have the best hot dogs in the stadium!”
Yachad’s Kosher Grill can be found at Section 142 on the Lower Concourse on the west / Russell St. side of M&T Bank Stadium. Contact: Avromie Adler, international director, Yachad, 212-613-8118, adlera@ou.org.
