Despite Disabilities, A Young Couple Finds Love at Mayanot Birthright Israel
When Zak Khazanovich was in middle school, he once drew up a list of goals he planned to reach in the future. Included were many things that other kids might also wish for, but conspicuously missing was the prospect of marriage.
Khazanovich, 20, who suffers from cerebral palsy, had a life changing experience last summer that put marriage back on his list. Rabbi Mendy Levertov, Chabad representative in Khazanovich’s hometown, Phoenix, AZ, recommended that he sign up for the 10-day Taglit Mayanot Birthright program and experience Israel for the first time.
Rachel Goodman, also 20, has Asperger’s syndrome. Like Khazanovich, she had unsuccessfully signed up for various Taglit Israel programs before, but now both finally found themselves enrolled in the summer program. Goodman, who lives in Tucson, first connected with Khazanovich on the birthright program’s Facebook page.
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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.