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Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month
Is Going Virtual and Staying Strong
WHEN GABRIELLE KAPLAN-MAYER’S ELDEST SON, George,
was diagnosed with autism at 3, she realized inclusivity is more than
just a welcoming spirit. Now 15 years later, the mom of two and the
Co-Interim Executive Director of Jewish Learning Venture (JLV) is a
major proponent of creating a more accessible Jewish community.

Through the years, she has come to learn disability inclusion requires
understanding specific needs and implementing them into a system not
set up for people like her son.

“Before my son was diagnosed, I really didn’t understand what the
experience of parents and families who had children with disabilities
was like,” said Kaplan-Mayer, who heads JLV’s Whole Community
Inclusion initiative that supports families raising Jewish children with
disabilities. “That’s really inspired me to make sure that we can make
our Jewish community more aware of issues around disability.”
February is national Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion
Month (JDAIM), which has provided a platform for disability advocates
to bring exposure to these issues on a local level.

Each year, JLV’s Whole Community Inclusion and the Jewish Special
Needs/Disability Awareness Consortium of Greater Philadelphia plan a
month of events focused on disability inclusion.

This February is no exception. However, the month’s programming
JDAIM is underway for a month of virtual disability awareness and inclusion programming.

will be conducted virtually due to the pandemic, a reality which has
Courtesy of Whole Community Inclusion family program
created its own set of accessibility challenges.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, a member of the
Jewish Special Needs/Disability Awareness Consortium, is addressing
the pandemic’s impact on the disability population with “Making the World
to this call to action.

More Accessible in the Time of COVID” on Feb. 15 at noon.

Regina Levin is one of the speakers that Kaplan-Mayer has connected
During this virtual event, the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community
synagogues with to share her story about being born with a hearing impair-
Relations Council (JCRC) will have a conversation with Kaplan-Mayer of
ment. A congregant and the chairperson of the Inclusion and Special
JLV and Stacy Levitan, executive director of the Judith Creed Horizons for
Needs Committee at Temple Sholom in Broomall, Levin has been a leader
Achieving Independence (JCHAI), a multi-faceted organization that helps
in advocating for institutionalized changes in Jewish spaces and changing
young adults with disabilities achieve independence. Kaplan-Mayer and
perceptions of invisible disabilities like hers. Ultimately, Levin believes that
Levitan will discuss their agencies, both of which are supported by the Jewish
true inclusion will come when those with disabilities no longer need to ask for
Federation, and how they have responded to the needs of their communities
accommodations. during the pandemic.

“If we have to keep asking for something then we’re not being included,” said
“Our Jewish community is diverse, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach
Levin, who needs a front row seat at events to read lips. “Just because you’re
to Jewish life. That is why it’s so important to support organizations and commu-
willing to give me something doesn’t mean you’re being inclusive. Inclusive
nities that are welcoming individuals with disabilities,” said Rachel Berger,
means that when I or someone else with a disability shows up at a function that
the Jewish Federation’s director of Jewish life and learning. “I’m so proud of
our needs are already met.”
the organizations that we work with who are making Jewish life accessible,
While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to achieve this goal,
welcoming and joyful for all members of our community.”
both Levin and Kaplan-Mayer have noted that the Jewish community has made
Another important aspect of JDAIM is not just its work to raise awareness
strides in the last decade.

with community members, but also with congregations and Jewish institutions.

“What we’re creating through Whole Community Inclusion are things that
JDAIM will have events tailored for clergy, including a training on Feb. 10 at
did not exist when my son was a young child, so this is incredible. It makes me
9:30 a.m. for rabbis and cantors. The workshop will be led by Rabbi Darby Jared
feel like my family is being seen,” reflected Kaplan-Mayer, who thanked the
Leigh of Congregation Kerem Shalom in Concord, Massachusetts. Leigh is an
Jewish Federation for a five-year grant that enabled JLV to make sensory-friendly
acclaimed disability rights activist and the second deaf rabbi to serve a hearing
options for their jkidphilly programs. “Professionally, what I see is there’s so
congregation. much desire and we’re not having to convince anyone to make these changes.

Local synagogues also have been invited to be a part of “JDAIM Shabbat
This is an important issue.”
Across Philadelphia,” where they will dedicate one Shabbat service in February
For more information about local JDAIM events, please visit:
to focus on disability inclusion. Thus far, about 20 synagogues have committed
jewishphilly.org/jdaim. 24
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
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