Each year I’m excited to take a pause and share some thoughts as we begin Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) in February. But this year, I’m thinking about it a little differently. Inclusion isn’t just a once-a-year conversation. It’s something we live, breathe, and build every day in Greater MetroWest. This month, I want to focus on that—on the ways our community already embraces belonging and how we can continue to do better.
JDAIM is a reminder that every member of our community—regardless of ability—should have access to Jewish life. To work, live, love, play, learn, and worship in a way that’s meaningful to them. And as we mark 16 years of JDAIM in Greater MetroWest, I’m realizing just how far we’ve come.
There’s a lot to celebrate.
I am grateful for the many congregations and agencies who are recognizing JDAIM this year in the month of February with a special event or program. It’s a wonderful way to continue to raise awareness in our congregations, schools and agencies.
You can visit Federation’s Community Calendar to learn more about these events. We’ll also be highlighting them as Upcoming Events in our weekly Federation newsletter.
As we think about the ways in which we each have opportunities to meaningfully engage with community, I want to take a moment to highlight just a few inclusive opportunities that come to mind.
These are just a few of the many ways in which our Greater MetroWest community is inclusive, creating a community of belonging for all who live here:
- Four Greater MetroWest Congregations share monthly Shabbat programming that is designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities. We live these values in our synagogues and our greater community!
- Federation’s Center for Volunteerism provides many opportunities for community members to give back. Members of the JESPY and JSDD communities join in giving back to our greater community by participating in these volunteer opportunities. Stay tuned this spring for several ways to join them in giving back during Community Mitzvah Day!
- Members of the JESPY and JSDD communities joined me for a Melton Jewish Learning series this fall. Just as many adults in Greater MetroWest seek Jewish learning experiences, members of JSDD and JESPY are partnering with Greater MetroWest ABLE, JCC MetroWest and the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning for a shared learning opportunity each week. I look forward to continuing our learning together.
- Are you an ABLE Awarded Congregation? Several of our Greater MetroWest congregations are ABLE Awarded, participating in and achieving certain criteria on the How Inclusive Are We? Synagogue Self-Assessment Tool.
- Congregation Agudath Israel offers a Better to Serve program for teens in the congregation. This leadership and community service program is a wonderful example of inclusive teen programming. Creating an inclusive community service program is a natural extension of the culture and values of Congregation Agudath Israel. Whether it’s in the classroom or during hands on community service at a site, students work together in pairs or small groups. This enables all students to both learn from each other and support each other.
- Parents, Caregivers and Siblings need support year-round! Both JFS of MetroWest NJ, JFS of Central NJ and the JCC of Central NJ offer monthly support groups for parents and caregivers, in addition to a Sibling Support Group at JFS of MetroWest NJ.
- Friendship Circle’s UMatter Teen Talks program provides year-round opportunities for teens. It has made a big difference in the lives of teens, giving them a safe space to talk about things like self-esteem, friendships, mental health, and personal struggles. It helps them feel heard, understood, and supported while building confidence and making real connections with others. Teens walk away with new tools to handle life’s challenges.
These are just a few examples of how we are building a community of belonging year-round in Greater MetroWest. JDAIM is a call to action for all of us to live our Jewish values, honor the gifts and strengths we each possess and the many ways in which we contribute to community. When inclusion is embraced, it leads to belonging.
So, you might ask, “What can I do to support these efforts?”
I’ll share a few ideas below and know that I am always happy to connect and brainstorm together about new and exciting ways to be involved.
- Learn More About Our Greater MetroWest ABLE Community Partners. Our 9 partner agencies support and advocate every day for people with disabilities and their families. I’d be happy to speak with you or schedule visits to learn more.
- Share stories of inclusion and belonging in your congregation, agency or program! Often, community members are not aware of the accommodations and supports in place. Celebrate your successes and encourage others to further their inclusive efforts.
- Help us to identify Employment/Volunteer Opportunities within the places you work and visit. People with disabilities are a drastically underemployed segment of our community. We have professionals from our partner agencies, JVS and JESPY, who can help to orient staff teams and provide job coaches for new volunteers/employees. This spring we will once again host an Inclusive Employment event, introducing businesses to the idea of becoming an inclusive employer. If you are interested in joining us, please let me know. We do this together, as a community!
- Think Inclusively. Think about all the ways that you live a Jewish life and the ways in which we can welcome others into this space. I’m always available to talk about ways in which to make our congregations, schools, agencies, programs and greater community more inclusive for all who want to participate. Let me know how I can help.
This is what belonging looks like. Not just in February, but all year long. Let’s keep going.
Pirke Avot 2:21 teaches us, “Lo alecha ham’lacha ligmor, v’lo ata ven chorin libatel mimena.” We are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are we free to desist from it. We continue to move forward, strive for more and together reach our goals.
You can connect with me at [email protected] or (973) 929-3129. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at a community event soon!