DISABILITY INCLUSION RESOURCE GUIDE FOR RABBIS

Transcription

1 Yachad / Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities In cnjunctin with Heneinu: Jewish Cmmunity fr Peple f All Abilities DISABILITY INCLUSION RESOURCE GUIDE FOR RABBIS

2 Table f Cntents Frward... 3 Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities... 3 Disability Inclusin Begins With the Rabbi Attitudes and Barriers Frming/Supprting Synague-based Inclusin Cmmittees...5 Disability and Jewish Values...5 The Functin and Structure f an Inclusin Cmmittee Easy Ways t get Yur Inclusin Cmmittee Started Quick, Simple, N-Cst Physical Changes t Yur Synaggue Organized Outreach t Yur Synaggue Cmmunity Ritual Accessibility...9 Nrth American Inclusin Mnth (NAIM) Yachad and NAIM Suggested Synaggue-based Activities fr NAIM Jewish Texts n Inclusin Crafting a Sermn/D var Trah n Disability Inclusin Jewish Texts and Imprtant Qutes Bar Mitzvahs and Disabilites Inlcusin Activites fr Teens Inclusin Summer & Israel Prgrams fr Children, Teens, Adults Cntacting Yachad Acknwledgements/Heneinu

3 Frewrd A human being mints many cins frm the same mld, and they are all identical. But the Hly One, Blessed be G-d, strikes us all frm the mld f the first human and each ne f us is unique. (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5) Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities, an agency f the Orthdx Unin, is a 6,500- member glbal rganizatin dedicated t the Inclusin f all Jews with disabilities in every aspect f Jewish life. With numerus ffices and chapters acrss the U.S., Canada, and Israel, Yachad/NJCD ffers diverse services including, but nt limited t: summer camps; Israel trips; scial prgramming fr all ages; scial skills develpment; supprt services, case management, cunseling fr individuals, siblings, and families; shabbatnim; educatinal pprtunities and special needs yeshivas; and vcatinal services. The purpse f the Disability Inclusin Resurce Guide fr Rabbis, brught t yu by Yachad/NJCD, as part f the crss-mvement Heneinu initiative fr a mre Inclusive Jewish wrld, f which Yachad is c-funder and a member rganizatin, is t supprt Orthdx rabbis and lay leadership in their effrts t make their synaggues mre inviting t Jews f varying abilities and disabilities via a plethra f n-cst, small, measurable, and easy-t-implement initiatives. The Trah states that each f us is created B tzelem Elhim, in the image f G-d (Genesis 1:27) and describes the hspitality f Abraham and Sarah welcming strangers t their hme. Yet there are Jews with physical, develpmental, emtinal, intellectual, mental health, and ther challenges that d nt have the pprtunities t participate in the richness f Jewish life because multiple barriers still exist, largely n the attitudinal level. It is nly when attitudinal barriers are directly addressed and acknwledged by rabbis and ther synaggue leadership that the synaggue cmmunity truly begins t mve tward Inclusin. As the cmmunity fllws the rabbi s example f active welcming f persns and families impacted by disabilities, many Jews with diverse abilities and challenges will at last find warmth, welcme, and a sense f belnging t their Jewish cmmunity. Histrically, peple with disabilities have been perceived in light f visible impairments such as physical, cmmunicatin, and sensry challenges. Peple can have disabilities that are nt visible, including but nt limited t autism spectrum disrders, learning disabilities, executive functining disrders, and md and behaviral challenges. Regardless f whether a disability is apparent, ne f Judaism s cre tenets is that because each persn is unique and that we are all created in the image f G-d, every cmmunity is respnsible t seek ut persns f varius abilities and disabilities, and ensure their Inclusin in Jewish cmmunal life. We shuld meet their needs s they may participate in persnally and spiritually meaningful pprtunities as full 3

4 members f the Jewish cmmunity, wh can cntribute t a strnger and mre vibrant cmmunity. 1 We knw that mre can and must be dne t build a mre inclusive Jewish cmmunity. A remarkably high number f Jews have t, r will have t, vercme sme barrier t be included in Jewish life 2. We must ensure that ur prgramming, wrship, scial events, and facilities are accessible t all peple with apparent and nt-apparent disabilities; ur attitude and demeanr is welcming; and ur language is apprpriate. Then and nly then will all Jews have the pprtunity t enjy their G-d-given place in the Jewish wrld and enjy the fruits f meaningful participatin in the richness f Judaism. 3 1 Text frm presentatin by Debrah Berman, LCSW, Directr f Scial Wrk, Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities t parent grups at Family Shabbatn May Presentatin by Batya Jacb, Directr f Educatin Services, Yachad, Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities New Jersey Cnference fr Jewish Educatrs, Text frm presentatin by Debrah Berman, LCSW, Directr f Scial Wrk, Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities fr presentatin at Cntinuing Educatin fr MSC seminar,

5 Frming Synaggue-based Inclusin Cmmittees/Initiatives Fr my huse shall be a huse f prayer fr all peple. (Isaiah 56:5) Peple can be faced with a disability at any time. Sme may be brn with a disability, acquire disability due t an accident r illness, r becme disabled t ne degree r anther due t ld age. 4 In ur Jewish cmmunities, there are peple with visible and invisible disabilities whse needs are nt being met, whse families feel that they are r might be unwelcme at synaggue, and wh are being frgtten, unwittingly ignred, and ultimately pushed ut f the Jewish wrld due t lack f awareness r any rganized utreach by synaggues. 5 In rder t push the wider Jewish cmmunity in a mre inclusive directin, there must be a cre attitudinal change at the synaggue level, fully endrsed by rabbis, staff, and lay leaders. This may be dne mst effectively and directly via easy t develp and simple t implement small Inclusin cmmittees in synaggues, whse rle it is t create actual and nging changes in synaggue life, cmmunity planning, and encuraging and supprting related changes in scial practices amng the cngregants. Over time, this change happening cncurrently in multitudes f synaggue cmmunities will create a mre Inclusive cmmunity where n Jew is pushed ut f their rightful place in the Jewish wrld. 6 Our Jewish values teach us that each f us is created in G-d s image and each f us has value. It is ur respnsibility t ensure that ur cngregatins are welcming t all persns, regardless f natural variatins in abilities. 7 Frming a synaggue-based disability Inclusin Cmmittee need nt be a huge undertaking and des nt require much funding, if any. Cmmittees may be large r small, meet nce a mnth t 4 times per year, be cmprised f clergy r be staffed largely by vlunteer lay persns. It is entirely up t the synaggue leadership what these cmmittees lk like and hw wide their scpe is. Hw many members there are depends n the size f the synaggue and level f resurces. 8 A synaggue Inclusin Cmmittee s main purpse is t serve as a psitive frce fr attitudinal changes n the synaggue cmmunity level tward persns with disabilities; set the tne fr the entire synaggue that persns with disabilities are welcme, wanted, and actively sught ut; and t address as many bstacles as is reasnable and d-able fr each synaggue s that as many peple with diverse abilities and disabilities may fully participate in cngregatinal life. Further, the Inclusin Cmmittee serves as a means by which t cntinually update and enhance 4 Mdified frm interview f Debrah Berman, LCSW, Directr f Scial Wrk, Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities cnducted by Raechel Banks f The Religius Actin Center f the URJ and merged with Reslutin In Supprt f Access t Lifelng Jewish Learning fr Jews with Disabilities by URJ, Shelly Christensen, Winter 2011, Trah at the Center. 6 Mdified frm missin statement f Heneinu Initiative f which Yachad/NJCD is a c-funder and member-rganizatin. 7 frm interview f Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, Internatinal Directr f Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities cnducted by Rachel Banks f The Religius Actin Center f the URJ. 8 Mdified frm missin statement f Heneinu Initiative f which Yachad/NJCD is a c-funder and member-rganizatin. 5

6 the needs that are being served in synaggue life. 9 It is imprtant t remember that an Inclusin Cmmittee is nt a chesed r tzedakah prject. This Resurces Fr Rabbis Guide cntains suggestins and ideas t cnsider when beginning yur wn synaggue-based Inclusin Cmmittee r, if yur synaggue already has an Inclusin Cmmittee f sme kind, cntinuing its wrk. Keep in mind that frming an Inclusin cmmittee need nt be a huge undertaking and des nt require much f any mney and n mre than a small handful f dedicated participants. There are highly effective synaggue-based Inclusin cmmittees f 2 peple and thers that have 8-10 participants and thers that are a sub-cmmittee f the Bard f Directrs. 10 It is nt the wealth f the synaggue r the number f peple n the cmmittee that matters, but rather it is abut keeping it simple and fcusing n making steady, small, and btainable changes t synaggue life. 11 Invite a wide range f peple t participate, including: Persns with disabilities, r persns related t smene with a disability Prfessinals in disability-related fields (example: teachers, special educatrs, speech/ccupatinal therapists, scial wrkers, physicians, etc.) Lay peple/vlunteers Clergy and synaggue leadership, if their schedule and time permits At yur first meeting: 12 It may be helpful t have a guest facilitatr frm Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities t help yu run the first meeting and serve as a resurce and partner. Have an agenda but dn t stick rigidly t it; let discussin evlve. Include a d var Trah that references Jewish texts relating t the inclusin f all peple. (See the Jewish Texts n Inclusin sectin f this guide). Let all participants tell their stries. What brings them t the table? Start t think abut a brief and cncise missin statement and discuss small, measurable, and btainable gals fr the cmmittee. Identify next steps: What are sme hidden bstacles that prevent thers frm cming t synaggue and/r participating in synaggue life: awareness, attitudinal, physical, prgrammatic, and educatinal. (Nte: The mst cmmn bstacle is always attitudinal issues within the synaggue. The #1 barrier t persns with disabilities and their families participating in synaggue life is that they feel unwelcme and n ne has reached ut t them.) 9 Adapted frm MetrWest ABLE 10 Chani Herrmann, LMSW, Directr f New Jersey Yachad, presentatin at Cnference f New Jersey Synaggues Mdified frm lng range planning mems f Heneinu Initiative f which Yachad/NJCD is a c-funder and member-rganizatin. 12 Frm USCJ s Why Have an Inclusin Cmmittee and Jewish Cmmunity Guide t Inclusin f Peple with Disabilities 6

7 Write a statement f welcme and disability Inclusin t becme part f all cngregatinal membership materials synaggue website, mailings, calendar, etc. Present this statement t yur cngregatin s Bard f Directrs fr their apprval. Discuss the presence f attitudinal barriers in yur cngregatin. Explre why thse attitudes exist and seek ways t address and eliminate them frm yur cngregatinal family. Assign cmmittee members t develp lists f strategies t break dwn thse barriers and prmte full participatin f persns with disability cnditins. Set deadlines fr putting thse strategies r initiatives int effect. Make sure that thse deadlines are nt in the distant future and see that they are adhered t. Publicize yur cmmittee and what yu are ding. Let yur cngregants knw that the inclusin cmmittee exists and that yu are a welcming cngregatin. Sme ideas include: Write newsletter articles. Place disability welcming language in the synaggue bulletin. Offer sensitivity training t ushers. Offer large-print bulletins and siddurim. Make assistive hearing devices available fr weekday events and a sign language interpreter fr Shabbat and hlidays, if it is in the synaggue budget, and publicize t the cmmunity that these devices are available. Prvide special greeters and aides. Give sermns and text studies n disability awareness using Jewish values. Prved printed versin f sermn and annuncements. Invlve peple with disabilities and their families. Ideas fr N-Cst/Lw-Cst Physical Changes 13 If yur synaggue happens t have the budget fr it, here are sme lw-cst and easy-t-d physical changes t make that create disability Inclusin withut the expense f a huge undertaking like retrfitting yur building: Educate ushers abut the varius Inclusin features yur synaggue ffers. This knwledge ges a lng way in creating a welcming envirnment fr peple wh benefit frm yur barrier-remval effrts. Pst apprpriate signage indicating the lcatin f yur Inclusin entrance, disabilityfriendly restrms (if there are any), and hw t get t them. Lwer yur bx f kippt s that everyne, including peple in wheelchairs, can reach them. 13 Adapted frm an authrized merging f Disability Inclusin literature by USCJ, Recnstructinist Mvement, and Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities 7

8 Place cups by the water funtain t make drinking water available fr all. Make plastic magnifying sheets available fr use with yur siddurim and chumashim. These can easily be sewn int a bk s cver s it can be placed ver the pages as an easy and cst-effective way t prvide fr thse wh need large-print bks. Outreach t Yur Synaggue Cmmunity: Use these questins, and ther questins yu might think f, fr discussin f attitudinal barriers in yur cngregatin: Is the rabbi a rle mdel fr creating a welcming attitude fr persns with disabilities? T yur knwledge, d peple with disabilities cme t services r activities? If they cme nce, d they cme back? If nt, d yu knw why? D peple with disabilities participate in the religius r plitical leadership f the cngregatin? If they d nt, why is this? What des the cngregatin d t encurage the participatin and recgnize the cntributins f peple with disabilities? Can and d peple with disabilities celebrate life cycle events in yur cngregatin? If nt, d yu knw why? Is there a way fr peple with disabilities t ffer suggestins and expertise n reducing barriers in the cngregatin withut feeling like they are cmplaining r impsing? D yu use peple-first language in yur speech, newsletter, etc.? (This is language that refers t the persn first and the disability secnd. Fr example, persn with paraplegia, instead f paraplegic. ) Des yur cngregatin ffer a way t teach members and children abut peple with disabilities? D yu reach ut t members f the cngregatin wh cannt get t the building? D yu reach ut t and acknwledge the needs f family members f peple with disabilities? Des yur synaggue have a bard-level cmmittee r task frce n the Inclusin f peple with disabilities? Has yur cngregatin adpted a statement n Inclusin? Des yur cngregatin indicate a willingness t think creatively abut ways t be accessible and welcming? Has there been a discussin r training sessin with staff members, bard members, cngregants, and teachers abut hw t make guests and cnstituents with disabilities feel welcme and included? D all publicity and written materials say All are welcme? Is it written in an easy-tread typeface and fnt? D peple with disabilities participate as ushers, lead services, r serve n cmmittees? Are peple with disabilities encuraged t serve n the Bard f Directrs? 8

9 Are written materials, including prayer bks, bulletins, newsletters, fliers, and brchures available in large-print, Braille, r by ? Is the physical facility wheelchair accessible? Is there a ramp r lift t the building and t the bimah? Is sign language interpretatin available at events that peple wh are deaf might attend? Des everyne enter thrugh the same drway? If nt, is the accessible drway welcming and attractive? Ritual Accessibility 14 Here are sme ideas t make wrship mre Inclusive fr everyne: First and fremst, actively seek ut and invite peple with disabilities t participate in services. Clear space in different parts f the sanctuary fr peple wh use wheelchairs. If yu identify a cmmunity-member wh is sight impaired, is it pssible fr yur synaggue t lcate large-print siddurim, chumashim, and ther materials in Braille? Yu may ask Yachad t help yu acquire such materials. Is it feasible t place a permanent reading table n the sanctuary flr s peple with physical disabilities have greater access fr Trah reading and hnrs. Dedicate a kiddush r neg Shabbat in hnr f Nrth American Inclusin Mnth (NAIM) which is bserved every February (see Jewish Disability Awareness Mnth sectin f this guide). Include special prayers r readings at each Shabbat service during Nrth American Inclusin Mnth (NAIM) During Nrth American Inclusin Mnth (NAIM), add a relevant qute t each Shabbat bulletin. Educate ushers, greeters, receptinists, and thers wh welcme and guide visitrs abut the varius accessibility features ffered by yur cngregatin. Lwer yur bx f kippt and basket f wmen s head cverings s they can be reached by everyne, including small peple r peple wh use wheelchairs. Visit accessible cngregatins and ther huses f wrship in yur area t get ideas fr yur wn cngregatin 14 Adapted frm a cmbinatin f Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cunsel fr Disabilities Resurce Guide fr Educatrs, Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities NAIM material, and the Yachad NAIM Guide , USCJ Guide fr making an Inclusive Synaggue, The Religius Actin Center f URJ, and additins by Recnstructinist leadership members Heneinu. 9

10 Participate in Nrth American Inclusin Mnth (NAIM) Hw wnderful it is that nbdy need wait a single mment befre starting t imprve the wrld. Anne Frank Every February is Nrth American Inclusin Mnth (NAIM) and it designated t raise awareness and develp sensitivity f what it means fr thse wh live with disabilities, and hw t include them in the larger cmmunity. Sme f the NAIM prgrams frm which cmmunities may incrprate thrugh Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities include the fllwing: Schlars-in-residence t visit synaggues ver Shabbat and speak n issues relating t disability and hw t successfully fster cmmunal Inclusin. Hst a lunch and learn r adult educatin class n disabilities in Judaism Upn request, Yachad prvides rabbis with samples f disability-specific sermns t give at each Shabbat in the mnth f February. Cntact Debrah Berman fr mre infrmatin. Educatinal seminars in synaggues featuring wrkshps n sensitivity training and prgrams t help prmte Inclusin. Yachad Shabbatnim, which ffer a fun-filled weekend fr bth individuals with disabilities and participants frm the mainstream cmmunity. Creating a Disability Awareness Day in schls that highlight the imprtance f ensuring Inclusin fr thse with disabilities in the Jewish cmmunity. Many ther activities fr the whle cmmunity such as resurce fairs, fundraisers, and recreatinal prgrams. Cntact Yachad fr a pwer pint f the Purim stry t help cngregants with disabilities fllw alng and feel included in this hliday. Fr mre infrmatin n NAIM please cntact: Eli Hagler, Assciate Directr, Yachad/NJCD haglere@u.rg; Debrah Berman, LCSW, Directr f Scial Wrk, Yachad/NJCD bermand@rg.rg;

11 Jewish Qutes and Texts fr Inclusin 15 Fr my huse shall be a huse f prayer fr all peple. (Isaiah 56:5) Jewish traditin teaches us f ur bligatin t ensure equal access fr all peple and t help facilitate the full participatin f individuals with disabilities in religius and public life. We are taught D nt separate yurself frm the cmmunity (Pirke Avt 2:5); accrdingly, we must prevent anyne frm being separated frm the cmmunity against their will. Furthermre, in Leviticus 19:14 we are cmmanded, Yu shall nt insult the deaf, r place a stumbling blck befre the blind. Stumbling blcks cme in many frms, frm less-thanaccessible buildings, Shabbat services, prayer bks and web pages that are harder t access r are nt sufficient fr peple with disabilities. We are bligated t remve these stumbling blcks; this is why Judaism cares s deeply fr the rights f peple with disabilities. T make yur synaggue mre aware f disability Inclusin, give a D var Trah, sermn, newsletter, , synaggue website, etc. Here are sme qutes t help yu get started: Jewish Texts 16 And G-d said, Let us make man in ur image, after ur likeness And G-d created man in His image in the image f G-d He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:26-27) On let us make man As lng as G-d is still creating, He des nt in fact say I, He says We, an abslute, all-inclusive term which des nt refer t an I utside the self but is the plural f all-encmpassing majesty. It is an impersnal I, and I that des nt face anther Thu, that des nt reveal anything but lives, like the metaphysical G-d f pre-creatin, nly in itself. (Franz Rsenzweig) On in the image Belved is man fr he was created in the image f G-d. Still greater was G-d s lve in that He gave t man the knwledge f his having been s created. (Pirke Avt 3:18) Tw translatins/interpretatins frm Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5: A human being mints many cins frm the same mld, and they are all identical. But the hly ne, blessed by G-d, strikes us all frm the mld f the first human and each ne f us is unique. (An individual man was created) t shw the greatness f G-d. While a persn stamps many cins frm a single die, and they are all alike, the King f kings has 15 Cmbined cntributins f Yachad/NJCD and Religius Actin Center. 16 Adapted frm Batya Jacb, Directr f Educatin Supprt Services, Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities, cmbined with qutes cllected by URJ. 11

12 stamped every persn with the die f Adam, yet nt ne f them is like his fellw. But Mses said t the Lrd, Please, O Lrd, I have never been a man f wrds, either in times past r nw that Yu have spken t Yur servant; I am slw f speech and slw f tngue. And the Lrd said t him, Wh gives man speech? Wh makes him dumb r deaf, seeing r blind? Is it nt I, the Lrd? (Exdus 4:10-11) Every member f the peple f Israel is bligated t study Trah whether ne is rich r pr, physically able r with physical disability. (Maimnides, Mishneh Trah, Hilcht Talmud Trah, Ch. 10) Tw translatins/interpretatins frm Pirkei Avt, Ethics f ur Fathers, 4:3: Ben Azzai taught: D nt disdain any persn. D nt underrate the imprtance f anything fr there is n persn wh des nt have his hur, and there is n thing withut its place in the sun. Treat n ne lightly and think nthing is useless, fr everyne has a mment and everything has a place. D nt lk at the cntainer, but what is in it. (Pirke Avt 4:27) Speak up fr thse wh cannt speak speak up, judge righteusly, champin the pr and the needy. (Prverbs 31:8 ) Hinei ma tv u ma na im shevet achim gam yachad. Behld hw gd and pleasant it is when all peple live tgether as ne. (Psalm 133:1) Rachmana leib i. G-d wants nly the heart. D nt curse a persn wh is deaf and d nt place a stumbling blck in frnt f a persn wh is blind. (Leviticus 19:14) Oh G-d, may all created in yur image recgnize that they are kin, s that in ne spirit and in ne friendship, they may be frever united befre yu. (Traditinal Liturgy) When a persn insults smene else, it is his wn defect that he is revealing. (Kedushim 70a) If there be amng yu a persn with needs, yu shall nt harden yur heart, but yu shall surely pen yur hand. (Deuternmy 15:7) Deuternmy 24:17 and 27:19, and Jeremiah 22:3 teaches us nt t ppress the stranger, the rphan and the widw. These three are ffered as examples f the weakest, least well-prtected members f sciety. The Trah repeatedly delineates that prtectin and help must be affrded such members f the grup. Teach a child accrding t his way. (Prverbs 22:6) (accrding t his needs and abilities) All Israel is respnsible fr ne anther (Mishnah Sanhedrin) We may sell a synaggue and, similarly, all hly bjects even a Sefer Trah in rder t prvide fr Trah students and rphans. (Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chaim 153:6) Rabbi Ychanan said: Each f the 40 days that Mses was n Munt Sinai, G-d taught him the entire Trah. And each night, Mses frgt what he had learned. Finally, G-d gave it t him as a gift. If s, why did G-d nt give the Trah t him as a gift n the first 12

13 day? In rder t encurage the teachers f thse wh learn in a nn-traditinal manner. (Jerusalem Talmud) Human beings were created as a single individual t teach yu that anyne wh destrys a single life is as thugh that persn has destryed an entire wrld, and anyne wh preserves a single life is as thugh an entire wrld has been preserved. The creatin f an individual human being was dne als fr the sake f peace amng humanity, s that n persn culd say t anther, My parent is greater than yur parent. (Talmud Sanhedrin 4:5) And G-d saw everything that He had made, and behld, it was very gd. (Genesis 1:31) Oh G-d, may all created in yur image recgnize that they are kin, s that in ne spirit and in ne friendship, they may be frever united befre yu. (Traditinal Liturgy) Anyne wh deprives a student f being taught Trah is as if he rbs him f his father s legacy. (Sanhedrin 91b) A student shuld nt say I have understd when s/he has nt understd. Rather, s/he shuld ask again, even several times. And, if the teacher gets angry and abuses the student verbally, she r he shuld say t the teacher, Teacher, this is Trah and I must learn it, even if my capacity is inadequate. (Maimnides, Mishne Trah, Hilkht Talmud Trah, 4:4) 13

14 Bar Mitzvahs fr Learning r Cmmunicatin Challenged 17 Anyne wh deprives a student f being taught Trah is as if he rbs him f his father s legacy. (Sanhedrin 91b) The bar mitzvah f a yung persn with a disability demnstrates vividly what Judaism is, r shuld be, abut. The ultimate success f such a ceremny is a triumph, nt nly fr the individuals invlved, but fr the entire Jewish cmmunity. The challenges are nt insurmuntable; it nly takes flexibility, creativity, and the willingness t plan ahead. Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cunsel fr Disabilities wrks with numerus families each year acrss the U.S. Canada and Israel t prepare fr this life cycle event and we als wrk with synaggues t becme experts in the needs f yung peple cming f Bar Mitzvah age. We aim t truly educate each child accrding t his r her ability and fulfill ur bligatin t supprt each and every yung persn as they enter adulthd. Recgnize that many peple with disabilities have emtinal ties t the Jewish peple and therefre wish t becme a participant in the cmmunity. Prvide the child with the pprtunity t declare his r her value and dignity befre G-d and the cmmunity. Understand that thse with disabilities may nt reach the same level f learning f a child withut disabilities, but that this des nt make them any less Jewish r any less a part f ur cmmunity r that they will becme any less f an adult than their mre typical peers. Mdify the cnventinal training, as well as the actual service. Becme acquainted with the learning challenges and styles f the student. Meet with the student and his r her family and discuss gals and what they hpe t get ut f the life cycle event. Take int cnsideratin the fllwing: 17 Adapted with permissin frm What Makes a Special Needs Bar Mitzvah Truly Special, URJ and MyJewishLearning.cm ; additinal cntributins adapted with permissin frm Department f Educatinal Supprt Services f Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities. 14

15 Has this child ever perfrmed in frnt f an audience befre, such as at a dance r chral recital r in schl plays? Hw lng can the child be expected t stay n the bimah r even in the sanctuary? Will the child fllw directins t participate in varius prtins f the service? If the child can verbalize prtins f the service, hw much shuld he r she be expected t d n that day (lead the cngregatin in prayers, read Trah and Haftarah, deliver a d var Trah)? If the child is nnverbal, what is an alternative way fr him t have an active part in the service (such as accepting and putting n a tallit, pening the ark, and/r carrying a small Trah if he struggles with mtr skills and carrying heavy items)? Can the child (with adult assistance) prepare a small speech t express what this event means t him? If nt in wrds, can the child draw a picture r make anther artistic rendering f his experience? What makes this child happy? Even a child with the mst severe limitatins may take jy in hlding the Kiddush cup with supprt while the blessings are spken by anther persn. If needed, at the service family members may speak n behalf f the student, cnnecting the bar mitzvah t the family/friend. 15

16 Synaggue-based Inclusin Activities fr Teens 18 If there be amng yu a persn with needs, yu shall nt harden yur heart, but yu shall surely pen yur hand. (Deuternmy 15:7) Fr all teens, including teens with bvius r hidden disabilities, the psitive impact f acceptance int a grup f their peers cannt be underestimated. Synaggue-based yuth initiatives, scial events, r yuth grups prvide many pprtunities fr friendships, activities, learning and a sense f belnging. Unfrtunately, many yung peple with disabilities have been left ut f yuth grups and peer activities r becme bjects f pity r fleeting attentin thrugh well-intentined yet dehumanizing and fleeting tzedakah prjects by students. Every Jewish teen deserves the pprtunity t enjy the mainstream benefits f a yuth grup and t feel valued and equal amng their peers. Inclusin is abut attitude. Run prgrams and sensitivity trainings fr teens n disability awareness. Seek ut and engage yung peple with disabilities t participate and get invlved. Meet with teens and parents individually t find ut what each member r prspective member needs t increase scializatin and achieve a sense f peer-grup belnging. Hld events in lcatins that are accessible t peple with disabilities. Find ways fr yung adults with disabilities t participate, be leaders, and find friendship within yur yuth grup. Listen t adlescents themselves abut their participatin and needs. Make decisins with them, nt fr them. Prvide individuals with disabilities with the same pprtunities fr grwth and friendship as their typically develping peers. 18 Adapted frm Jewish Cmmunity Guide t Inclusin f Peple with Disabilities byshelly Christensen, with additins frm Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities literature n teens and inclusin authred by Dr. Je Gldfarb, Directr f Summer Prgrams, Yachad/NJCD. 16

17 Summer Prgrams: Camps, Israel Trips, Vc Training, Vacatins, Vlunteer and Fellwship Opprtunities Oh G-d, may all created in yur image recgnize that they are kin, s that in ne spirit, and in ne friendship they may be frever united befre yu. (Traditinal Liturgy) Yachad/NJCD Summer Prgrams As yu encurage cngregants t attend Jewish summer experiences, please cnsider the fllwing Inclusive prgrams fr individuals with disabilities and their typical peers. Yachad s Summer Prgrams include a variety f summer experiences fr yuth and adults with and withut develpmental disabilities. Yad B Yad (hand-in-hand) is a summer tur that mainstreams high schl students with their Yachad peers. There are als disability accessible Birthright trips t Israel. A number f summer camp experiences are available fr yuth and adults with develpmental challenges in an Inclusive envirnment at camps in the Pcns and Upstate New Yrk. Yachad Summer Department has ptins fr campers as well as Vcatinal enrichment pprtunities in a camp setting fr adults. All f Yachad s summer prgrams fcus n fstering scializatin, friendship, self-esteem and independence within a safe, secure envirnment. The camping experience can make all the difference in the develpment f any child r yung adult. The same is true fr anyne living with a disability. The summer ffers everyne a chance t grw and mature in an infrmal educatinal setting where the classrm can be the ball field r the dining rm. Yachad Summer Department, the largest prvider f Jewish camping pprtunities fr individuals with disabilities, ffers a wide variety f prgrams catered t each persn s needs f each participant. Depending n age, religius bservance, length f yur summer break and previus experiences, Yachad has the perfect summer prgram fr each individual: The Yad B Yad Israel Experience brings typical high schl students tgether with Yachad members (yung adults and teens with special needs) n a fabulus Israel adventure. Participants frm strng bnds f friendship and underg persnal grwth as they experience the Jewish hmeland, Israel, in a new and unparalleled way. With safety always ur first pririty, ur grup enjys time in Jerusalem, n an Israeli army base, at the Kineret and Dead Sea, and many ther fantastic lcatins. They ride camels, hike up Masada, and participate in special Shabbat prgrams. Participants als give back t the residents f Israel by ding cmmunity service wrk. 17

18 Yachad Mrris Sandelbaum High Schl Fellwship is exclusively fr current high schl Junirs, this prgram prvides select students the chance t wrk (as a CIT) in ne f Yachad s varius camp prgrams fr ne sessin (apprximately three t fur weeks) during the summer. Participants will gain intensive leadership training and hands-n experience wrking fr Yachad. Fellws will be supervised by the fellwship prgram directr as well as the individual camp prgram directr, and will have junir cunselr respnsibilities within the larger framewrk f the Yachad camp prgram. The Fellwship will take place in the Yachad camp prgrams at Camp Nesher, Camp Lavi, Camp Mrasha, Camp Mshava, and Camp Mesrah. Getaway and Getaway Travel is a tw-week vacatin fr adult Yachad members. It takes place in a large, rural retreat center in upstate NY. Participants chse frm daily activities which include arts & crafts, dancing, sprts, nature walks, hiking, swimming, baking, relaxing and sitting n the wrap-arund prch, and much mre. Half-day and day-lng trips are planned thrughut the tw weeks. Yachad Vcatinal Summer Prgram ffers full time wrk psitins in bth a sleepaway camp and day camp setting. Participants, bth male and female, are supervised by a jb cach/cunselr, and are placed in a psitin suitable t their abilities and needs. Our wrkers enjy the camp atmsphere and change f scenery, while learning imprtant life and vcatinal skills. Psitins can include (but are nt limited t) wrking with sprts prgrams, in the kitchen, helping in the dining rm, r in the day camp. There is a cst t participate and staff members are paid fr their wrk. Yachad Summer Camps are unique and Inclusive sleepaway prgrams. Our campers enjy swimming, bating, sprts, arts & crafts, drama, learning, and s much mre tgether with their mainstream peers. Each day, n an individual r grup basis, they participate in camp activities with ther bunks and campers. Our members frm special friendships within their bunk, and, mre imprtantly, with ther campers thrughut the camp. Our participants have the supprt f trained, highly mtivated staff and sleep in their wn bunkhuse. It is a cmplete camping experience, filled with warmth and care, and a fcus n the develpment f scial skills, fstering scializatin, friendship, self- esteem and independence within a safe, secure envirnment. T learn mre abut Yachad summer prgrams, Israel trips, and ther summer fun and learning fr yuth and adults with and withut disabilities, cntact: Directr, Summer Prgrams Administratr, Summer Prgrams Dr. Je Gldfarb Nechama Braun gldfarbj@u.rg braunn@u.rg 18

19 Cntacting Yachad Fr mre infrmatin abut disability Inclusin r partnering with Yachad/NJCD t make yur synaggue mre disability-friendly; t learn mre abut Jewish scial prgrams fr persns with disabilities; t apply fr a summer jb, internship, r fellwship; request case management r disability legal services; learn mre abut supprt services fr siblings, families and individuals in the U.S., Canada, and Israel; receive further resurces fr rabbis and educatrs; find ut mre abut ur special needs yeshivas; and anything else pertaining t mving yur synaggue cmmunity tward being truly disability Inclusive, please call r Internatinal Directr Directr f Scial Wrk Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman Debrah Berman, LCSW lichtmanj@u.rg bermand@u.rg 19

20 Acknwledgments/Heneinu Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities extends a heartfelt thank yu t the OU Offices f Synaggue Services and Cmmunicatins. This resurce guide was als made pssible by the supprt, cllabratin, and cntributins f the esteemed human rights, scial justice, and disability experts f Heneinu, the first ever crss- Mvement disability Inclusin initiative f which Yachad/Natinal Jewish Cuncil fr Disabilities is c-funder and a member-rganizatin. This missin f Heneinu is t prmte real and actual disability Inclusin changes n the synaggue-level thrugh all fur majr synaggue rganizatins mving the wider Jewish wrld tward true Inclusin f all Jews. 20