Adath Inclusion Committee
Adath Inclusion Committee sponsors activities to raise awareness and encourage action to include people with disabilities in all aspects of synagogue life. The Inclusion committee is chaired by Etta Barry.
We are pleased to be recognized as a standing committee with representation on the Adath Board of Trustees. The purpose of the Inclusion Committee is to identify the inclusion and diversity strengths, issues and opportunities within the synagogue community. We meet to share ideas, struggles and best practices.
There is always a need for new members of the Inclusion Committee. We are looking for congregants who have disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, professionals in disability-related fields and any other interested congregants who have a desire to be a part of our work, please contact us at ebarry64@comcast.net.
There is always a need for new members of the Inclusion Committee. We are looking for congregants who have disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, professionals in disability-related fields and any other interested congregants who have a desire to be a part of our work, please contact us at ebarry64@comcast.net.
Adath Accessibility is All About Inclusion
Everyone is welcome at Adath Jeshurun Synagogue. We strive to be a fully inclusive community and to remove all barriers to participation. We define Inclusion as a core Jewish value and make every effort to accommodate everyone. Below are examples of ways that we accommodate many different types of requests:
Live streaming: Many people who are unable to travel to the Adath for programs or services participate via live-streaming. Currently, we have Live Stream, we are on Facebook live and have Zoom services.
Assistive Hearing Devices and ASL interpretation or captioning is provided upon request for any service or event.
Food Allergy Information: You can contact our catering services with questions about allergens and ingredients.
Prayer & Program spaces: There is a ramp that leads up to the Bimah and people in wheelchairs can sit in several aisle locations around the sanctuary. There is an elevator from other levels and we have an adjustable Torah reading table.
General Building Accessibility Information: There is a curb cut-out in front of the main entrance where there are wheelchairs available for use. The back (Gan) parking lot has access to the elevator to bring you to the sanctuary. There are two gender-neutral restrooms near the Youth Department.
Low sensory Accommodations: There is a Quiet Room (also known as the Crying room), on the side of the sanctuary for those who need that.
Community Awareness: Adath celebrates Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion (JDAIM) month every year in February.
Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)
JDAIM is a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions and those who love them. JDAIM is a call to action for all of us to act in accordance with our Jewish values, honoring the gifts and strengths that we each possess. Established in 2009 by the Jewish Special Education International Consortium, JDAIM is observed each February. Visit this website to see JDAIM events all month sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America. |
jdaim events
Watch recording: Together in Harmony – A Celebration of the Resiliency of the Human Spirit
Joined Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) and the Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project (RSIP) for a very special gathering with healing songs, prayers and reflection that will lift our spirits. This evening will explore the challenges and joys of navigating a Jewish World committed to realizing the dignity and spiritual value of every person and will celebrate the resiliency of the human spirit in the darkest of times. (Monday, February 1, 7:30 pm)
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but please register ahead of time to receive the link to attend.
Wednesday, February 3, 7 pm: The Jewish Federations of North America kickoff concert with Itzhak Perlman
Register here for a special conversation featuring renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, who despite losing the ability to stand or walk on his own after a bout of polio as a young child, never let his disability deter him from his dream of becoming a world-class musician. Hear his inspiring story, as well as from leading members of Congress, and Federations empowering people with disabilities.
They Jewish Federations of North America is sponsoring all month long, JDAIM education, solidarity-building, and empowerment events in support of people with disabilities, and you can find their schedule at https://www.jewishtogether.org/jdam.
Saturday, February 6, 10 am: Adath JDAIM Shabbat with D'var Torah given by Rabbi Aaron Weininger
How can so-called outsiders transform communities? Inclusion can often mean an insider "we" group tries to include an outsider "them" group. But it doesn't have to be that way. Come learn how Yitro, a Midianite priest and ultimate "outsider" reshapes Israelite society in the same parasha as the giving of the 10 commandments! What can each of us learn about going to the margins-- rather than trying to "include" others?
Sunday, February 21, 3-4 pm: JDAIM Screening of the Documentary “Living Art”
JFCS (Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minneapolis) is hosting a virtual film screening of “Living Art” in honor of JDAIM. “Living Art” is a film about Mara Clawson, a brilliant visual artist battling a life-threatening genetic disease. As Mara prepares for the largest gallery show of her young career, she shows us what it means to create both art and a life inspired by love and kindness. The film screening of “Living Art” will include a live Q&A with Mara, her parents and the film’s director, David Rochkind. See more information view the trailer.
Additional Twin City JDAIM programming
JDAIM February 2021 Program Guide
JDAIM Facebook Page #JDAIM21
Topics activities and/or discussions revolving around inclusion will be a part of our Adath curriculum this month in SMP, Gan Shelanu, and USY lounge nights.
Joined Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) and the Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project (RSIP) for a very special gathering with healing songs, prayers and reflection that will lift our spirits. This evening will explore the challenges and joys of navigating a Jewish World committed to realizing the dignity and spiritual value of every person and will celebrate the resiliency of the human spirit in the darkest of times. (Monday, February 1, 7:30 pm)
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but please register ahead of time to receive the link to attend.
Wednesday, February 3, 7 pm: The Jewish Federations of North America kickoff concert with Itzhak Perlman
Register here for a special conversation featuring renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, who despite losing the ability to stand or walk on his own after a bout of polio as a young child, never let his disability deter him from his dream of becoming a world-class musician. Hear his inspiring story, as well as from leading members of Congress, and Federations empowering people with disabilities.
They Jewish Federations of North America is sponsoring all month long, JDAIM education, solidarity-building, and empowerment events in support of people with disabilities, and you can find their schedule at https://www.jewishtogether.org/jdam.
Saturday, February 6, 10 am: Adath JDAIM Shabbat with D'var Torah given by Rabbi Aaron Weininger
How can so-called outsiders transform communities? Inclusion can often mean an insider "we" group tries to include an outsider "them" group. But it doesn't have to be that way. Come learn how Yitro, a Midianite priest and ultimate "outsider" reshapes Israelite society in the same parasha as the giving of the 10 commandments! What can each of us learn about going to the margins-- rather than trying to "include" others?
Sunday, February 21, 3-4 pm: JDAIM Screening of the Documentary “Living Art”
JFCS (Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minneapolis) is hosting a virtual film screening of “Living Art” in honor of JDAIM. “Living Art” is a film about Mara Clawson, a brilliant visual artist battling a life-threatening genetic disease. As Mara prepares for the largest gallery show of her young career, she shows us what it means to create both art and a life inspired by love and kindness. The film screening of “Living Art” will include a live Q&A with Mara, her parents and the film’s director, David Rochkind. See more information view the trailer.
Additional Twin City JDAIM programming
JDAIM February 2021 Program Guide
JDAIM Facebook Page #JDAIM21
Topics activities and/or discussions revolving around inclusion will be a part of our Adath curriculum this month in SMP, Gan Shelanu, and USY lounge nights.
JDAIM at Gan Shelanu
Sixteen years ago, the Pacer puppets visited Gan Shelanu Preschool during Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month. During the course of the program, Jay the puppet, was introduced. Jay was hard of hearing and wore hearing aids. At the very moment Jay explained his "disability", a Gan preschooler jumped up, pulled his own hearing aids out of his ears and announced he had hearing aids too! Fast forward 16 years and that preschooler is a college junior studying music at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In a non-COVID world, the Pacer Puppets would be visiting the Gan during JDAIM. Unfortunately, this year that is not possible. The Gan is SO excited that the preschooler with the hearing aids, Jacob Zweigbaum, will be making a surprise visit to the Gan via zoom and talk to the students about his experiences growing up with hearing aids. (As an aside, the Pacer Puppeteers continue to tell that story to audiences of preschoolers!)