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. |
The Adath Inclusion Committee encourages parents to pick up a copy of In My Kehillah- A Book About Friends With Disabilities as a teaching tool for 4-8 year olds. This delightful book encourages young learners (4 to 8 years old) to be inclusive of their peers with physical, cognitive, and learning disabilities.
Learn how four Jewish concepts teach us to be inclusive: Adam Yechidi Nivra (every person is a unique creation), Chesed (loving kindness), Kavod (respect), and Kehillah (community). |
Click here to view JDAIM Co-Founder Shelly Christensen's D'var Torah from JDAIM Shabbat on February 15.
JDAIM Events Around the Twin Cities
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected].
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.