Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month
Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month is a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to use common programs to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities, their families and those who love them. Established at JFCS in 2009, JDAIM is observed during February.
Its mission is to:
• Elevate Jewish awareness of the way society regards people with disabilities
• Encourage Jews around the world to become more empathetic toward people
with disabilities
• Urge Jews to welcome people with disabilities into their communities and personal lives
• Unite Jewish communities to raise awareness and champion inclusion of people with disabilities
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Adath – www.adathjeshurun.org
Tuesday, February 6 @ Noon
Tuesday Torah Study Group (Rooms 26-27): Jim Sherman will lead a discussion on the weekly parshah.
Sunday, February 11 @ 11am
Paula Fox Mezuzah Dedication (Main Entrance and Gan Entrance): In memory of Paula Fox, a mezuzah will be placed at the main entrance and at the Gan entrance at wheelchair level as a testimony to her dedication for Inclusion and Hesed/compassion.
Saturday, Feb. 17 @9:30am
Special JDAIM Shabbat Service: Guest speaker Albert Walla will speak on “Being Jewish and Deaf—My Experiences.” Albert is a father of three, deaf and Jewish and currently teaches American Sign Language (ASL) in the World Language Department at Eden Prairie High School. His talk will give us a greater understanding of the challenges and rewards of being Jewish and deaf in the Twin Cities.
Monday, February 19 @ 1:30 – 3pm
Etzion Study Group: Rabbi George Nudell and Liba Casson-Nudell will share their experience as parents raising a son with disabilities.
Other JDAIM activities at Adath in February:
— Gan will welcome a program by the PACER puppets.
— B’Yachad Sunday School has a variety of disability awareness activities throughout the month of February
— USY teens will have inclusion lounge activities.
— SMP will discuss JDAIM February 10 during their sessions
Bet Shalom — www.betshalom.org
Saturday, March 10th @ 6:00
Havdalah Service: Bet Shalom will be hosting a congregational Havdalah service followed by a pizza, salad and dessert dinner. Rabbi Locketz only wants to conduct the service so there will not be a sing-a-long afterwards. We also will be presenting, “The Only One Club” to the Bet Shalom Preschool and religious school.
Temple Israel – www.templeisrael.com
Friday, February 9 @ 6:00 p.m.
Independent Living for Adults with Special Needs – Rachel Seltz to Speak at the Shabbat Service
Rachel Seltz is a resident at Cornerstone Creek, the only place of its kind in the Twin Cities offering affordable, independent apartment living along with progressive amenities at no charge to the tenants or their families. Cornerstone Creek is sponsored by J-HAP (Jewish Housing and Programming) which serves the life-long needs of adults with developmental disabilities. J-HAP provides much more than housing. It offers a way of life that allow individuals to live independently, increase self-esteem and thrive within a Jewish community that is open to all. This event is part of Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month.
Mount Zion Temple – www.mzion.org
Saturday, February 3 @ 1pm
Sporty Mental Health: Join us for a Shabbat afternoon of Shmirat HaNefesh as we focus on self-care, coping skills, and reducing stigma (for 9-12th grade)
Friday, February 16
6:15pm – Food for Thought
Mental Health Panel with Anna Fox, Jasper Hardin, Steve Levin, Adam Bahr and Sam Elwood
7:30pm – Shabbat services
Pulpit guest Al Levin, congregant, Pre K-8 Assistant Principal, and host of The Depression Files podcast
Tuesday, February 20 @ 7pm
Film Viewing: “No Letting Go” is the story of a teen struggling with debilitating mental illness and his mother who does everything to help him while also supporting the rest of her family. Discussion led by Anna Fox.
Sunday, February 25 @12:30pm
AND
Tuesday, February 27 @ 7:30pm
Book Discussion: “An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness” by Kay Redfield Jamison. 10 copies available in the office.
Generous funding for Jewish Disability Awareness Month is provided by Lynne and Andy Redleaf and The Toodie and Frank Trestman Special Needs and Collaborative Education Endowment Fund of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.