Each February, Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) brings together Jewish communities around the world to celebrate and support individuals with disabilities. This year, JDAIM returns with various family-friendly events and activities that foster equity and belonging within the Jewish community.
“The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia joins a unified initiative to celebrate JDAIM, embracing the opportunity to foster a more inclusive and welcoming community for all,” said the Jewish Federation’s Director of Leadership Development and Governance Lori Rubin. “While we strive to honor each member of our community year round, JDAIM offers us a chance to ensure that everyone feels valued, welcomed and connected to Jewish life through meaningful programs and initiatives.”
Greater Philadelphia will host a range of programs in partnership with the Jewish Learning Venture’s (JLV) Whole Community Inclusion initiative and the Jewish Special Needs/Disability Awareness Consortium of Greater Philadelphia, which includes the Jewish Federation.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the Jewish Federation granted over $2.6 million to organizations across Greater Philadelphia which support individuals with disabilities and make Jewish life meaningful through innovative programs.
"Families raising children with disabilities face a number of obstacles to full inclusion in Jewish communal and educational settings,” said jkidphilly’s Director of Whole Community Inclusion Erin Beser. “JDAIM is an annual initiative to raise awareness through targeted professional development for clergy and community programming for our families. The Jewish Federation serves as a partner and supporter in this work, and together, we seek to ensure a Jewish community that is fully inclusive for all.”
Check out the full list of events throughout the month that celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion:
JDAIM: Saturday Morning Services
Saturday, Feb. 1 | 9:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Mekor Habracha
Join Mekor Habracha, also known as the Center City Synagogue, for a Shabbat focused on disability awareness and inclusion. Rabbi Hirsch will deliver a sermon relating to the theme of acceptance and welcoming. To learn more and register, click here.
Judaism and Disabilities
Saturday, Feb. 1 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Germantown Jewish Centre
Hear from disability rights and civil rights attorney David Ferleger as he discusses how the Torah and Talmud discuss disability and how Jewish tradition has adapted to become more inclusive. To register, email DickJGoldberg@gmail.com.
JDAIM Family Day
Monday, Feb. 17 | 12 - 12:45 p.m.
Weitzman National Museum of Jewish History
Spend a day at the museum exploring, creating and celebrating with activities for all ages. Participants will enjoy a jam-packed full of exciting programs, workshops, crafts, a resource fair, scavenger hunts and more! To learn more and register, click here.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – How to be a J.E.D.I.
Friday, Feb. 21 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Congregation Or Ami
Rabbi Ettman will explore the Torah portion for the week and inspire others to become J.E.D.I by focusing on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. To register, click here.
The Intersection Between Disability and Jewish Identity
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 12 p.m.
Virtual
Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) for a virtual panel on the intersection between disability and Jewish identity. The conversation will be led by JCRC Director Jason Holtzman, who will be joined by expert panelists Chani Baram, chief relationship officer of Philly Friendship Circle, Stacy Jarett Levitan, executive director of Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI), and Gail Norry, immediate past co-chair of the board of the Jewish Federation. To register, click here.
Jewish Book Council Author JDAIM Shabbat
Friday, Feb. 28 | 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Main Line Reform Temple
Author Virginia Isaacs Cover will discuss her book, Supplemental Needs. The book explores the emotional and physical journey of a family when they learn that their fetus has a genetic disability and how they navigate the world of Klinefelter Syndrome, a condition that can cause a variety of developmental disabilities. To register, click here.
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To learn more and find out about new JDAIM events, click here. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia provides support to community members in Greater Philadelphia and the world. Help create a more inclusive community by clicking here.
