Build a Foundation of Inclusion
Consider establishing an inclusion committee, where people with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities serve alongside those who do not have disabilities. Also consider inviting individuals with disabilities to sit on the congregation’s board of trustees. Neil Jacobson, who is on Temple Sinai’s board by virtue of his chairmanship of the temple’s Access Committee, says, “many people with disabilities, including myself, have become creative problem-solvers who resolve challenges with unique, easyto-implement solutions. The fundamental belief we tend to have—that there’s always a way to do what needs to be done—is helpful to any organization.” Some congregations, such as Temple Beth Torah (TBT) in Upper Nyack, New York, have established multiple task forces to ensure that everyone feels welcome and has full access to congregational life. A TBT education task force brings religious school teachers together with congregational volunteers trained in learning disabilities. A technology task force, which oversaw the installation of the congregation’s hearing loop (an assistive listening system), is working on online access for members unable to come to services. A nefesh (soul) task force focuses on mental health issues, and a chesed (loving-kindness) committee reaches out to congregants who are homebound, ill, or have other needs.
Show You’re Welcoming
“You might think that if you are doing inclusion right, you don’t have to talk about it,” says Lisa Friedman (photo #3), an educator at Temple Beth-El in Hillsborough, New Jersey, who blogs regularly about inclusion in the temple’s religious school. “But many people out there won’t know how accommodating your congregation is unless you tell them.” Shelly Christensen recommends publicly acknowledging that your organization accommodates people with disabilities by “stating on your website and on every application form, flyer, brochure, and invitation that you welcome and seek the involvement of people with disabilities.” Rabbi Mencher notes that “implicit messages are just as important as explicit ones in demonstrating full acceptance and modeling inclusion. Consider, for example: Does your website include photos of people with visible disabilities participating in congregational activities? Does it mention including people whose disabilities may not be apparent such as those who are deaf or have a mental illness?” At Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine, California, the messaging of inclusion starts just inside the synagogue’s entrance, where on display is a 50-page resource guide listing local orthodontists, barbers, and other community professionals who specialize in working with people with disabilities. Temple Beth Ami in Rockville,
RUDERMAN SYNAGOGUE INCLUSION INITIATIVE All URJ congregations are invited to participate in the Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Initiative, advanced by a $600,000 three-year grant, which will support synagogues in becoming truly inclusive of people with disabilities and honor them for their inclusion achievements. Leading experts and organizations in the disabilities field, advocates who have disabilities, and exemplar synagogues will offer cutting-edge information and practices in such areas as preschools, worship, religious school education, governance, social programming, architecture/
physical accommodations, disabilities advocacy, and funding. Learning modules will include webinars, consultations with experts, and reading materials. Congregations can choose their area(s) of interest, and those that make significant progress in learning and change will be honored at the URJ’s Orlando Biennial in December 2015. This expansive initiative is being rolled out in the Fall. Contact Rabbi Edythe Held Mencher, coordinator of the Ruderman partnership on disabilities inclusion: emencher@urj.org.
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Maryland details its accommodations at bethami.org/about-us/accessibility. “Shabbat morning and evening services can be sign-interpreted upon request. Select High Holy Days services are interpreted. Members of Temple Beth Ami may request interpreters….Bar and bat mitzvah families may also request interpreting services….A ramp is available to the bimah in the sanctuary….The temple has wheelchairs and walkers available….If you have any other situations that require accommodations…we will make every effort to assist you.” Take an Individualized Approach to Education
There is no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to educating children who are deaf or blind or have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive processing disorders, or other disabilities. Each child should be educated Al Pi Darko, according to his or her unique learning needs. The religious school staff at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia has created a JEAP, or Jewish Educational Action Plan, for approximately 15 students identified as requiring extensive accommodation, presenting an individualized educational vision, describing his/her strengths, and recommending learning strategies and accommodations that would facilitate learning. Rabbi Mari Chernow (photo #4) at Temple Chai in Phoenix personalizes b’nai mitzvah ceremonies for students with disabilities. One child with autism drew pictures of the parasha that were displayed in the synagogue’s lobby. Another child with autism answered scripted questions about the parasha with one- or two-word responses. Individualized learning is even more effective when educators view parents of children with disabilities as their partners and seek out their ideas, strategies, and resources. Grace Amodeo’s parents, for example, introduced her religious school teachers at Temple Beth El in Hillsborough, New Jersey to the Jewish Braille Institute’s Hebrew continued on next page
summer 2014
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