This week the Gush Etzion Foundation said goodbye to stalwart employee Shua Hoffman of Monsey, New York, as he concludes a year of weekly volunteerism with the organization.

Shua’s work at the foundation was part of the vocational training component at Elaine and Norm Brodsky Darkaynu Program for Men – Ohr Torah Stone’s unique and innovative year-in-Israel program for young adults with special needs. In addition to providing students with the ability to learn Torah and travel the land of Israel like students on one-year-programs for young typically-developed women and men, the program also focuses on cultivating their life skills, with an eye toward empowerment and ultimately, independent living.