Inclusion of People with Disabilities

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s site for information about programs, services, and access that welcomes people with disabilities

Mission Statement

Our Jewish values teach us that each of us is created in God’s image and each of us is to be valued. The United Synagogue’s Commission on Inclusion of People with Disabilities’ mission is to sensitize and educate professional and lay leadership to the profoundly important responsibility of ensuring that the synagogue and all its programs are accessible to those who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate in all aspects of synagogue life, and to assist congregations in meeting the needs of members with disabilities by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.

United Synagogue has passed two resolutions that directly affect people with disabilities.

Readings on Inclusion

• In Mishneh Ha'Briyyot -- A New Jewish Approach to Disabilities, Rabbi Elliot Dorff presents what he calls a Copernican revolution in how Jews should understand and treat disabilities.
  
  
• Susie Drazen points out ways for synagogue leaders to start thinking more inclusively.
  
  
• Rabbi Jack Reimer examines a section of Leviticus that deals with disabilities
  
  
• Rabbi Artson’s son, Jacob, writes movingly about how it feels to have autism; this is an extraordinary look at a generally poorly understood condition.
  
  
• Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson explores how his son, Jacob, who has autism, taught him not to put his head down and rush but instead to walk with God in Jacob Who Loves the Sabbath
  
  
• Shelley Kaplan looks at ways in which synagogues have made prayer accessible to people with disabilities in Opening the Gates of Prayer
  
  
• Rabbi Michael Safra writes about Disability Shabbat in Beyond Accommodation: The Need for the Truly Inclusive Community
  
  
• Rabbi Avi Weiss points out why we all benefit when we use ramps rathers than stairs in Lessons of the Ramp

Tools and Resources

• The Anti-Defamation League offers a curriculum with lessons for all grade levels on integrating people with disabilities into mainstream schools.
  
  
• Language about disability matters. Here is a guide to what to say and how to say it.
  
  
• There are easy, inexpensive ways to begin to make your building more inclusive.
  
  
• The Conservative movement's camping program, Camp Ramah, offers Tikvah, a range of programs and services at many camps across the system, geared for children with special needs.
  
  
• Who Makes People Different presents traditional sources about disabilities and examines modern views and theological implications.
  
  
• The Americans With Disabilities Act has implications for synagogues and other religious institutions.
  
  
• The Council for Jews with Special Needs offers a wealth of resources.
  
  
• Shalva provides peace of mind to the mentally and physically challenged child and family in Israel
  
  
• Listen to Rabbi Mark Zimmerman sing parts of the liturgy from the Conservative movement’s Siddur Sim Shalom.
  
  
• For People with Visual Impairments
  
  
  • JBI International offers visually impaired people audio, large print, and Braille books, magazines and cultural programs; many are of Jewish interest.
    
    
  • An aural Passover Haggadah allows people with visual impairments and others to join in the seder.

Other Jewish Resources

• Learn why everyone in a synagogue benefits from an inclusion committee.
  
  
• A checklist helps synagogues and their leaders make the building and services inclusive.
  
  
• Many Jewish institutions offer creative programming designed to include people with disabilities. We all can learn from each other. Please send us links to your programs and we will be glad to post them. Email us your links.
  
  
• The Wolk Center at the Hillel at the Rochester Institute of Technology helps integrated deaf and hearing-impaired students into mainstream campus life.
  
  
• Words of Wisdom on Inclusion