Inclusion of People with Disabilities

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's site for information about programs, services, and access that welcomes people with disabilities

Mission Statement

Our Jewish values teach us that each of us is created in God's image and each of us is to be valued. The United Synagogue's Commission on Inclusion of People with Disabilities' mission is to sensitize and educate professional and lay leadership to the profoundly important responsibility of ensuring that the synagogue and all its programs are accessible to those who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate in all aspects of synagogue life, and to assist congregations in meeting the needs of members with disabilities by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.

United Synagogue has passed two resolutions that directly affect people with disabilities.

Permission Granted

In accordance with copyright law, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism grants lay and professional congregational leaders permission to print and compile Torah/Musaf portions, as needed, in such alternate format as large print and Braille, as long as they are used exclusively within the leader’s own congregation, and as long as no financial return is expected or requested from these booklets.

Questions and Answers

How do we make our accessible seats remain available during the high holidays?

Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month

February 2012

Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month is a unified effort by Jewish organizations worldwide to use shared programs to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities, their families, and those who love them. Established in 2009, JDAM is observed during February. In 2012, JDAM is launching a book club, which will examine Rachel Simon's best-selling novel, The Story of a Beautiful Girl, as its first selection. Participants are encouraged to read and discuss the book during 2012. JDAM also offers a guide to the book.

A webinar about teaching Jumping Jenny by Ellen Bari to 4 to 10 year olds is set for February 15.

Readings on Inclusion

From CJ: Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism, Spring 2010

You can view the entire magazine by clicking here.

• Encumbered and Blessed - You will be moved and inspired by JACOB ARTSON, a young man with autism
• J-ADD and Me - MICHAEL GOODMAN understands that people who are developmentally challenged really are just like the rest of us
• Opening Wide the Doors - SANDY MILLER-JACOBS points out ways in which our communities can include students with learning issues
• Sulam Li: An Inclusive Religious School - BONNIE RIVA RAS describes a much-needed program developed by seven Long Island congregations
• How a Class Trip to Israel Makes a Real Difference - According to MASHIE KOPELOWITZ and AMY LEVINE, tikkun olam and a trip to Israel are all part of the curriculum of a New Jersey Solomon Schechter school where eighth graders participate in the Masorti movement's bar/bat mitzvah program for children with special needs in Israel

Other Readings

• In Two Views of Moshe's Speech Impediment, Rabbi Joshua Adler looks at how Moses' inability to speak clearly could be seen as both an inspiration and a warning.
• In Mishaneh Ha'Briyyot - A New Jewish Approach to Disabilities, Rabbi Elliot Dorff presents what he calls a Copernican revolution in how Jews should understand and treat disabilities.
• Susie Drazen points out ways for synagogue leaders to start thinking more inclusively.
• Rabbi Jack Reimer examines a section of Leviticus that deals with disabilities
• Rabbi Artson's son, Jacob, writes movingly about how it feels to have autism; this is an extraordinary look at a generally poorly understood condition.
• Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson explores how his son, Jacob, who has autism, taught him not to put his head down and rush but instead to walk with God in Jacob Who Loves the Sabbath
• Shelley Kaplan looks at ways in which synagogues have made prayer accessible to people with disabilities in Opening the Gates of Prayer
• Rabbi Michael Safra writes about Disability Shabbat in Beyond Accommodation: The Need for the Truly Inclusive Community
• Rabbi Avi Weiss points out why we all benefit when we use ramps rathers than stairs in Lessons of the Ramp

Tools and Resources

• United Synagogue has compiled a list of tips to make your Passover seder more inclusive.
• Jewish Heritage for the Blind offers large-print hagaddahs. Phone is 800-995-1888; email is services@jhbinternational.org.
• Jewish Heritage for the Blind also offers free large-print copies of Megillat Esther for Purim. The group is at 1655 24th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229.
• The Commission has compiled information to help synagogues become more inclusive as they Open Wide the Gates to all on the High Holy Days.
• The Anti-Defamation League offers a curriculum with lessons for all grade levels on integrating people with disabilities into mainstream schools.
• Language about disability matters. Here is a guide to what to say and how to say it.
• There are easy, inexpensive ways to begin to make your building more inclusive.
• The Conservative movement's camping program, Camp Ramah, offers Tikvah, a range of programs and services at many camps across the system, geared for children with special needs.
• Who Makes People Different presents traditional sources about disabilities and examines modern views and theological implications.
• The Americans With Disabilities Act has implications for synagogues and other religious institutions.
• The Council for Jews with Special Needs offers a wealth of resources.
• Shalva provides peace of mind to the mentally and physically challenged child and family in Israel
• Listen to Rabbi Mark Zimmerman sing parts of the liturgy from the Conservative movement's Siddur Sim Shalom.
• Renewing our commitment to inclusion

For People with Visual Impairments

• JBI International offers visually impaired people audio, large print, and Braille books, magazines and cultural programs; many are of Jewish interest.
• An aural Passover Haggadah allows people with visual impairments and others to join in the seder.

Personal Reflections on Including People With Disabilities

• "Wow, That Could Be Me" - Talking About Inclusion

Other Jewish Resources

• The Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities offers a wealth of information on inclusion, from how to set up a committee to how to offer awareness training to advice on raising a child with special needs.
• The Disability Resource Guide is a list of links to many organizations that offer services to Jews with disabilities.
• Learn why everyone in a synagogue benefits from an inclusion committee.
• A checklist helps synagogues and their leaders make the building and services inclusive.
• Many Jewish institutions offer creative programming designed to include people with disabilities. We all can learn from each other. Please send us links toyour programs and we will be glad to post them. Email us your links.
• The Wolk Center at the Hillel at the Rochester Institute of Technology helps integrated deaf and hearing-impaired students into mainstream campus life.
• Words of Wisdom on Inclusion

Jewish Programming for Kids with Disabilities

• Jewish Gateways, a program in the Boston area

To learn more about United Synagogue's Commission on Inclusion of People With Disabilities, or to share your solution or resource, email its chair, Rabbi Paul Drazen.