Meet The Founders:
Rose Lacher
Rabbi Robert Jeremiah Bergman, of Blessed Memory
Rabbi Moishe Engel of Chabad Hebrew Academy
Over Thirty Years ago in 1985...
In 1985, Rose Lacher, along with Rabbi Robert 'Jeremiah' Bergman of blessed memory, and Rabbi Moishe Engel of Chabad, initiated the "inception" of The Jeremiah Society by having a Chanukah party for 5 people. What started as a grassroots socialization program for Jewish special needs adults, became the opportunity to "Celebrate the lives of special needs adults through friends, family and the Jewish Faith" with an outreach program once a month.
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Rose Lillian Zall was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1921. She had been deeply involved with the Retarded Association of New Jersey. She read about California and the educational opportunities for these children and that appealed to her. So she and her husband Jules and their three children moved out West to California.
Rose's volunteer service spans over 6 decades. Since moving to California, Rose has immersed herself in the activities of Orange County ARC and the Jewish Community Center of Orange County. She served on the board of directors of Orange County ARC and served as president of OC ARC's Parent Council from 1991 to 1998. In that role she helped provide recreational programs and dances for hundreds of people with developmental disabilities. Rose's tenacity and perseverance have been the force behind volunteer projects she's headed. Her service, dedication and determination to start-up an enrichment program for the Jewish Developmentally Disabled, called The Jeremiah Society would become the best of its kind. 
Marty and Amy dancing with Rose at the JCC Baker Street
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Rose's family, Sheldon, Hilary and Amy. All together they support their mother's dream.
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The Visionary Executive Director of The Federation, Creating Adat Noar 1978-1991 |
Rabbi Robert Jeremiah Bergman, Founder
"We must stem the tide of youngsters dropping out of Jewish
education the day after their Bar and Bat Mitzvah," Rabbi Robert Jeremiah Bergman proclaimed again and again at Federation board meetings during the late 1970's. After 25 years Adat Noar was so well established that few recall when the name was foreign and the concept of a funding partnership between congregation, parent and the Federation was hotly debated. |
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Recently Honored as "Hero of the Year" "After all the hurts we as Jewish people have felt, we became depressed. It's good that there are Jewish people that do good Jewish things". |
Rabbi Moishe Engel of Chabad Hebrew Academy, Founder
 Rabbi Engel tells us a meaningful story
Rabbi Moishe Engel has just celebrated his 41st year teaching 1st grade. "That's what I do" he says. He works with small children, adults, and college kids for 25 years now. "Then I've done other programs. I work on college campus' Chabad CSULB, Orange County and Long Beach. I created a Sukkot Hop for 200 students".
He sent 110 children from 69 families to camp. Families sold raffle tickets, and grants were given from The Federation. He developed the Center for Jewish Life. Making connections. "The goal is connecting Jews with Jews in any way possible". And, at every Jeremiah Society Hanukkah party for 26 years, he has told a wonderful Hanukkah story and he hands each Jeremiah member a crisp dollar bill. |