As a young child with an anxiety disorder, I found the Unetaneh Tokefand surrounding liturgy so disturbing that I had to leave. As a young child in a wheelchair, I waited in an empty shul while everyone ran to the river to do Tashlich. Even though, for me, getting into the synagogue was easy, it was getting […]
NFTY Convention was a weekend full of fun, laughter, and new memories. We formed friendships, we built community, and we were all inspired to lead. Perhaps most importantly, though, we sparked change in our Movement. During Asefah (business meeting), Ben Haberman and I presented legislation to guide NFTY in taking another step forward in our march toward inclusivity. Our summers at our […]
There’s a significant uptick of energy in the Jewish disability world right now. Following recent events like the Ruderman Inclusion Summit and the URJ Biennial, people are talking about this issue in ways they never have before – and organizations are (finally!) making commitments to change. At my congregation, Temple Beth-El in Hillsborough, N.J., we are not perfect, but I […]
“There comes a moment when you realize that what you’re advocating for is more than just accommodations. You’re really advocating for someone’s quality of life. That’s the moment you realize you won’t give up.” (Dyslexia Training Institute) Sometimes Facebook produces surprises, like this quote I recently found while scrolling mindlessly through my news feed. These […]
For the last 15 years, more than 250 teens in religious schools in greater Philadelphia have participated in the Reta Emerson Fellowship/Teen Assistant Program (TAP), supporting children with learning and/or developmental disabilities. As part of my work directing Whole Community Inclusion, I serve as the TAP coordinator. The teens apply to the program through a process that requires […]