There’s no wrong way to be a friend, and Lottie Dasher Borowsky knows this well. Eighteen years ago, as a teenager, she joined Philly Friendship Circle after her older sister Sara, a former employee, told her about the opportunity to mentor and support children with special needs.

Now, her journey has come full circle. On weekends, she brings her 5-year-old Tzemi, who has autism, and 3-year-old Zusha to Sunday Circle, where they join 40 other friends for karate, art therapy, movement and music.

“When I was a teenager, Philly Friendship Circle opened my eyes to inclusion,” said Dasher Borowsky. “Now that I have an autistic child, I understand its importance more than ever before.”

Neurotypical siblings, like Zusha, are always welcome at Sunday Circle, where the whole family is a part of the community. While Dasher Borowsky’s kids play with their teen mentors and other children, she relaxes in the lounge and connects with other parents.
“At Philly Friendship Circle, families have an inclusive place for their kids and an entire network of families to relate to and share resources,” explained Dasher Borowsky.

Supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and created by Chabad-Lubavitch, Philly Friendship Circle pairs teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their families. Friendship Circles exist worldwide, with each chapter adapting to its local community while upholding the same core mission: to foster genuine friendships and build inclusive spaces where everyone belongs.

The Philadelphia organization was founded 20 years ago by Chani Baram and her husband, Rabbi Zev Baram. Raised in a Chabad household with four brothers — three of whom have special needs — Chani Baram witnessed inclusion firsthand, as her parents opened their home to families from all walks of life.

“My parents fully embraced who my brothers are and did a beautiful job modeling true inclusion,” shared Baram. “At Philly Friendship Circle, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. It is also perfect for nurturing teens and what they’re going through.”

Like Dasher Borowsky, Rabbi Zev Baram formed a meaningful connection with a child with special needs during his teenage years, igniting his lifelong passion for this work early on.

Over the last two decades, the Barams have witnessed an increase in the number of those seeking their services in Greater Philadelphia. They attribute this rise to several key factors, such as science advancements that have enabled earlier detection of conditions, including rare ones in children. A greater acceptance of differences in the community at large has played a role in this shift as well. Baram also highlights the rise in mental health awareness, which has encouraged more families to seek support and has provided teen participants with resources to navigate the ongoing adolescent mental health crisis.

For example, there is Friends@Home, a one-on-one program where teen mentors visit children with special needs. The weekly hangouts often create deep, long-term friendships, which positively impact both child and teenage mental health.

As awareness of disabilities — including mental health conditions — grows, so does the need for inclusive programming. In the past year, Philly Friendship Circle served 293 friends, with 75% attending three or more programs. Their impact has been especially significant among families with younger children who seek the organization’s services early, drawn by the trust and positive experiences shared through word of mouth.

The Jewish Federation’s commitment, allocating close to $60,000 last year through the Jewish Community Fund — the main source of unrestricted dollars within the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign — has enabled Philly Friendship Circle to meet rising demand while maintaining personalized experiences for each participant. New initiatives, such as young adult social events and virtual happy hours, continue to broaden the organization’s reach.

“The Jewish Federation’s steady support over the years has helped expand our outreach team and build infrastructure to welcome everyone who walks through our doors,” continued Baram.

Working toward this sense of inclusion is a priority for the Jewish Federation, which allocated $8 million in Fiscal Year 2024 to local organizations for programs and initiatives that fall under the purview of Caring for Those in Need Locally, including support for individuals with disabilities.

“The Jewish Federation is here to convene the community, working to build a more accepting, diverse and inclusive future,” said the Jewish Federation’s Senior Chief of External Affairs Jeffrey Lasday. “Through funding support, we provide resources, connect people to Judaism and create spaces that make Jewish life accessible for all.”

As part of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month, Philly Friendship Circle collaborates with the Jewish Disability Consortium, of which the Jewish Federation is a member, to amplify messages of inclusion across the Greater Philadelphia area. The message remains clear: Everyone belongs in the Jewish community, and everyone has something to contribute.

“This is the inspiration behind what we do,” continued Baram. “On the outside, we’re all different. But, when you look at the soul of each person, it tells a completely different story. We all have a piece of G-d in us. From the outside, we might be divided, but on the inside, we all have that inner light. Sharing that with others is what friendship is all about.”

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To learn more about Jewish Disability Inclusion and Awareness Month, click here.