Media
John “SohoJohnny” Pasquale Awarded “The Jay Dudley Luce Foundation Award for Nonprofit Leadership 2023” for Let Me Help, Inc Foundation
John “SohoJohnny” Pasquale was granted the honor of the 2023 award for “Nonprofit Leadership” for his benevolent work with his “Let Me Help, Inc” foundation created by him after the passing of his mother from Covid. The event was an extravaganza, welcoming the most glamorous, courageous, and fun-loving guests. There were performances, socialites, entrepreneurs, and of course J Luce’s indoor Complete Playground produced by Alex Resnick.
The event featured entertainment from Dr. Chen Wang, a concert pianist whose skills were beyond awesome and whose performance was completely unbelievable. Also performing was 21 year old Jewels Harris, whose autism did not interfere with his unique gift on the keyboards. The guests were also treated to the voice of Quinn Lemly who is a beautiful and talented ball of fire.
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The Charitable Sound of Music
By Justin Papp, General Assignment Reporter, New Canaan Advertiser
NEW CANAAN — Jewels Harrison, a 14-year-old from town, joined an elite group of young men and women when he was presented with the J. Luce Leadership award, given to “young leaders working to better humanity,” at a recent event at St. John’s University.
Harrison, who has autism, was honored for his work benefiting local charities including the Food Bank of Stamford, the Food Bank of New Canaan, Circle of Friends in Westport and the Special Education Network of New Canaan.
“I was beyond excited for him because the common thinking is that these children just drain the system, and that they aren’t able to give back,” said Jewels’ mother, Mary Harrison. “I felt, not only can Jewels give back, so many children on the spectrum give back every day and never get recognized.”
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A Special Night of Hockey
, CT Post
BRIDGEPORT — The rink at the city’s Wonderland of Ice was filled one night this past week with the sound of sliding skates, clacking sticks and then suddenly a loud chorus of cheers for a goal scored.
The player who made the shot, 19-year-old Brandon Pianello, of Fairfield, was playing for the Southern Connecticut Storm, a team for special needs players. The score was his first of the night on Thursday, and he put up one more before players focused their defense on him.
The team holds practices every Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport, but last week they skated at the Wonderland of Ice with some special guests: members of the Bridgeport Police Department and the captain of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey team.
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Especially Everyone Ensemble puts on a show inclusive to all
Featured in Westmore News
Inclusion Festival Co-founder Leah Barron twirls a bright yellow cape in front of the stage at Garcia’s at the Capitol Theatre during the Especially Everyone Ensemble concert on Sunday, Feb 9. Both organizations strive to create inclusive and accessible experiences for everyone, including those with special needs.
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A Tale of Two Bar Mitzvahs
Featured in The Times of Israel
It was the best of Shabbats and the worst of Shabbats.
In my Connecticut synagogue last Shabbat, a student named Jewels Harrison, challenged by autism and unable to speak a word until he was three, was able to fulfill a dream in becoming bar mitzvah. He read Torah and led prayers, inspiring hundreds who attended and many, many others who have since heard about it. The service was attended by a member of the US Congress and a number of community leaders.
Meanwhile, in Israel, a bar mitzvah for autistic students was cancelled, the kids’ hopes dashed by none other than the President of Israel, who followed in the footsteps of the Rehovot’s mayor in scuttling the plans, for the simple reason that the service would have involved a Masorti (Conservative) rabbi. This betrayal, on top of the Rehovot betrayal, has infuriated many people.
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Shabbat-O-Gram for May 15
Featured in On One Foot: Joshua Hammerman’s Blog
Mazal tov to my son Dan, who became a college graduate last week (see the first family photo we’ve ever taken that includes four college graduates) and to the many students from our congregation who have recently or about to graduate. Next Thursday that will include our Hebrew School’s 7th grade, in what I hear will be a very moving ceremony that they are preparing.
This Sunday marks the last day of Hebrew School ). We are thankful to Lisa Udi, Board of Ed members, parents and teachers for what has been a wonderful year.
Special thanks to Sue Shapiro, who will be leaving our faculty after many years of dedication and excellence. We will miss her on the faculty, but fortunately she and Carl will still be very much here as congregants. The dedication of our teachers is so often overlooked – they cannot be thanked enough.
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Autistic Teen Wins International leadership Award
Submitted by Susie De Rafelo, CT Post
One of the prestigious honors will go to Jewels Harrison, an autistic teen from New Canaan, CT.
Despite his significant disability Jewels has learned to communicate through piano and has used his gift to bring awareness to local social issues. He has performed publicly to benefit local causes including the Food Bank of Stamford, The Food Bank of New Canaan, Circle of Friends in Westport and SPEDNET (the Special Education Network) of New Canaan.
Jewels ability has been recognized nationally with appearances in Times Square and coverage on Fox News. The Luce Leadership Award brings him to the international level. He will be joined by youth leaders Thanh Dang of Vietnam, Francisco Donoso of Bolivia, Sophie Alford of Texas, Ramin Herath of New York, RylieAlex Perruci and Rylie Wahl both hailing from Ohio.
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The Charitable Sound of Music
Featured in the New Canaan Advertiser
When people think of kids with autism, “you always hear about consuming the community’s resources,” says New Canaan resident Mary Harrison. It’s particularly rewarding that her son, Jewels, who is autistic, has been able to give back to the community that has supported him, she says.
Jewels is about to turn 13, the age when he’ll have his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth El in Stamford and wanted to find a way to include a customary community service project. “Because Jewels has autism, this was problematic,” Harrison said, until she discussed the matter with Rabbi Joshua Hammerman and Jewels’ music teacher, Karen Nisenson, founder and director of arts of Arts for Healing in New Canaan.
“You know, Jewels is such a beautiful pianist,” Harrison recalls Nisenson saying, and the idea came up for Jewels to play piano for donations, asking only that listeners donate what they are able. “Jewels has a special gift that sets him apart,” Harrison told the Advertiser. “The piano is his voice. He uses his gift to help programs which will benefit other kids with special needs and feed those in need through the Food Bank”.