Jews may be the “chosen people,” but when it comes to Jewish education, adults with disabilities have often been left out. Coinciding with Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, the Marcus JCC of Atlanta’s Lisa F. Brill Institute for Jewish Learning offers inclusive education classes through the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning virtually…
When he was just 30 days old, Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer suffered a botched radiation treatment for a skin ailment, leaving half his body discolored. Growing up he was often teased and treated differently. Eventually, Goldhamer found his career calling in the seminary, attending Hebrew Union College in 1967.His experience as an outsider led him to…
When artist Riva Lehrer was a child, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” deeply resonated with her. Her association with the legend was understandable—Lehrer was born with spina bifida, a condition when the spine and spinal column do not fuse in utero. Lehrer was born in 1958, when 90% of children with spina bifida did not survive. It…
Jonah Sanderson expects to get a Masters Degree in Jewish Studies this year from a Los Angeles rabbinical seminary. Not especially noteworthy— until you learn that Sanderson, 32, has had lifelong struggles with learning disabilities. Although it was founded 18 years ago, the Academy of Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, which Sanderson attends, didn’t receive…
Our nearly 24-year-old son, who is autistic, isn’t allowed to cross a busy street alone. He showers independently, but always asks us if he needs to shower. (“Did I sweat today?” is a common refrain in our household.) To say that Noah is dependent on us would be a radical understatement. Yet we plan on…
Judaism is a revolutionary and redemptive religion centered around justice and human dignity. That means dignity for every human. As a proudly Jewish autistic woman, I have been blessed to meet and form relationships with countless Jews who live up to these values by respecting all humans, including disabled and neurodivergent people — people whose…
(JTA) — Sixteen Jewish camps in North America have been awarded grants to increase accessibility for campers and staff with disabilities. The grants are part of the $12 million Yashar Initiative, a program of the Foundation for Jewish Camp funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The Yashar Initiative was designed to address the…
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Likud Party lawmaker Oren Hazan is under fire for calling a disabled fellow lawmaker “half a human” during a Knesset debate. Ilan Gilon of the liberal opposition Meretz Party was criticizing Culture Minister Miri Regev during a heated debate Monday on a bill that would withhold state funding to cultural organizations that…
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