Jewish Disability Awareness& Inclusion Month (JDAIM) is back this February, offering a month of programming and opportunities for the whole family to participate in as a collective effort to make our Jewish spaces more welcoming for all.
Check out the full rundown of in-person and virtual ways to get involved below. Please visit the individual event links to view COVID safety protocols for in-person programs.
Programming presented by Jewish Learning Venture’s Whole Community Inclusion initiative and the Jewish Special Needs/Disability Awareness Consortium of Greater Philadelphia, which includes the Jewish Federation
Monday, February 1 - Sunday, February 7
JDAIM Shabbat at Mekor Habracha
Saturday, February 5 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
In-Person Program
Rabbi Hirsch’s sermon will discuss the message of this week’s parsha (Torah portion) as it pertains to JDAIM & inclusion. To learn more about this in-person service and to register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: BZBI Disability Awareness Shabbat
Saturday, February 5 | 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel in Center City and David Marcu, Senior CEO of Israel Elwyn for a D’var Torah and discussion on building a society of true equality and self-determination for those individuals with disabilities. Israel Elwyn (IE) is an Israeli nonprofit that provides services and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To learn more and to register, click here.
Monday, February 8 - Sunday, February 14
JDAIM Program: In My Kehillah Book Party!
Sunday, February 6 | 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
One year ago, Jewish Learning Venture released its first book In My Kehillah, encouraging young learners (4 to 8 years old) to be inclusive of their peers with physical, cognitive, and learning disabilities. Join jkidacess, a program of Jewish Learning Venture, for an online book celebration for a reading, a lesson in illustrating with Robin Matthews, the book’s illustrator, and to share fun, creative ideas for building inclusive communities. To purchase a copy, click here. To register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Building Relationships, Building Community with Philly Friendship Circle
Thursday, February 10 | 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
Explore building friendships in an inclusive way to create stronger community connections during this Zoom presentation. Engage in some discussion, interactive exercises, and a conversation about how our synagogue community can create additional opportunities for building relationships and welcoming for all members. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat at Temple Sinai
Friday, February 11 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Temple Sinai in Dresher for Friday Night Shabbat Service, and hear stories of independence from Dr. Beth Rosenwasser and self-advocates from JCHAI (Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence). To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Including Everyone in the Tent
Friday, February 11 | 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Program
Join Congregation Or Ami over Zoom for prayers, poems, and text to promote awareness of all abilities and differing abilities. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: MLRT Services with Dani Tapper
Friday, February 11 | 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Main Line Temple Reform in Wynnewood, either in person or virtually, to welcome Dani Tapper, creator of Brilliant: The Musical, a musical that focuses on how love conquers all and how love is the reason behind the decisions that the protagonists make for their child with disabilities. Dani will share her connection to inclusion and her personal journey. Ahead of the service, please contact MLRT for access to a video of the full production. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Inclusion and Belonging in the Jewish Community
Friday, February 11 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
Join Congregation Beth El Ner Tamid and Sara Crimm, Director and Co-Founder of Families CCAN (Families Creating Communities for Adults with Special Needs), for Shabbat services and a special presentation on how we as a congregation can better support and include those with disabilities within our community. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Shabbat with Dr. Mark Salzer
Friday, February 11 | 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Kol Ami, in person at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Old York Road or virtually, to learn from Dr. Salzer, who will speak on “Welcoming and embracing those with mental health issues at Congregation Kol Ami” Dr. Salzer is a psychologist and Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Public Health at Temple University. He is also the Principal Investigator and Director of the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities, a rehabilitation research and training center funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research since 2003. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Disabilities Awareness Shabbat
Friday, February 11 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Program
Join Congregation Beth Israel of Media and Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association for their annual Disabilities Awareness Shabbat, where members will speak out in a virtual program this year. Members are invited to speak if they or a member of their family has a disability on the following questions: What is the nature of your challenges, what you have learned from your experiences and ways in which you or your loved ones are currently supported or would like to be supported? To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Celebrate Inclusion Shabbat
Saturday, February 12 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley for a special Torah study and d’var Torah, dedicated to the theme of inclusion in Jewish life and community. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Ohev Shalom’s Inclusion Shabbat
Saturday, February 12 | 9:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Ohev Shalom of Bucks County for their annual service on inclusion. Participate in the service with families and volunteers and learn from Rabbi Laurie Katz Braun, DMin — writer, parent, and mental health advocate — who will share a d’var Torah and deep dive discussion into mental health. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat at Mishkan Shalom
Saturday, February 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Rabbi Shawn Zevit and congregants at Mishkan Shalom in Roxborough-Manayunk for a joyful Shabbat service with music, readings and reflections about disability inclusion and justice. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: “The Songs & Stories of Our People”
Saturday, February 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Kesher Israel for services in West Chester that will be tailored to include congregation’s K, 1st and 2nd graders and all those who enjoy a participatory environment. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Reaching Beyond ALL Our Margins – Inclusion, Defined Broadly, in our Jewish Community
Sunday, February 13 | 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Adath Israel in Merion Station to focus on disability inclusion, including programming that touches on Jews of under-represented ethnic/national origins, socioeconomic inclusion and educational inclusion. To learn more and register, click here.
Monday, February 15 - Sunday, February 21
JDAIM Program: Let’s Talk About Mental Health
A Jewish Community Forum
Wednesday, February 16 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Program
The Jewish Disability Inclusion Consortium of Greater Philadelphia is excited to invite the community to an important evening focusing on eradicating the stigma of mental health challenges. The program will begin with Sharon Rosenblatt, keynote speaker and accessibility professional, a panel of people with lived experience with mental illness and experts in the mental health field and breakout groups for reflection. To register, click here.
Clergy Lunch and Learn: Kavod Habriot with Rabbi Lauren Tuchman
Thursday, February 17 | 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
In recognition of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion, Jewish Learning Venture invites Philadelphia area rabbis and cantors to join Rabbi Lauren Tuchman for an hour of study focused on Kavod Habriot, a central value in Judaism. In our time together, we will be exploring two stories found in the Babylonian Talmud in which individuals we might identify today as having disabilities exercise personal agency and demand dignity in deeply undignifying situations. To register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Becoming an embracing and welcoming community for those suffering with mental illness
Friday, February 18 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown to welcome Dr. Mark Salazar who will speak on becoming a community that will embrace and welcome individuals with mental illness. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Telling our stories and the lessons learned
Friday, February 18, 2022 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Beth Or in Maple Glen and learn from a young man in their congregation who had his leg amputated as a result of cancer. He has championed disability sensitivity and rights since his surgery. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Adath Jeshurun Presents Regina Levin
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Morning - 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Afternoon - 5:45 p.m.–6:25 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Programs
Regina Levin will be presenting to Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park about hearing impairment during both the morning Shabbat service in person (also streamed on Zoom), and again in between Mincha and Ma’ariv on Zoom! Morning services will be both in person and on Zoom; the afternoon presentation will only be on Zoom. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Torah Interpreted
Saturday, February 19 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In-Person Program
What did Moshe hear at the peak of Sinai when HaShem gave him Torah? What did he hear at the base of Sinai on that fateful day when the golden calf magically appeared from a fire of molten gold? Perhaps nothing. How, then, do we have Torah? Join Kol Tzedek in West Philadelphia to tackle these questions. A Deaf Kol Tzedek member invites you to watch and learn. Drash will be interpreted from American Sign Language into Spoken English to invite access for hearing participants. To learn more and register, click here.
Monday, February 22 - Sunday, February 28
Inclusive Grandparenting: How We Fully Celebrate ALL Our Grandchildren
Tuesday, February 22 | 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Program
Disability inclusion specialist Lisa Friedman will lead us in a conversation exploring how we can enrich our relationships with our grandchildren through the use of inclusive language, ongoing learning and active listening. Discussion, framed in Jewish text and values, will include practical tips for inclusive grandparenting such as celebrating differences and recognizing the potential of every child. This event is co-sponsored by Jewish Learning Venture’s jkidphilly and the Philly Friendship Circle. To register, click here.
Jewish Disability Awareness Day (JDAD)
Wednesday, February 23 & Thursday, February 24
Virtual Program
Join the Jewish Federations of North America for national Jewish Disability Awareness Day or JDAD. Over two days, learn from disability rights champions, experts, legislators about the current state of disability rights and what you can do to promote inclusion. Find out more and register by clicking here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Inclusion Shabbat with AADD
Friday, February 25 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
For many years, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park has partnered with the members of AADD (Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities). Members of AADD will attend and participate along with KI member, Heather Michaelson. Larry Rubin, Chief Executive Officer Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, will provide an update on the impact of the pandemic on AADD. This program will be in person and virtual. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Evening Service with Rebecca Hodges Salus
Friday, February 25 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Program
Join Old York Road Temple – Beth Am and Rebecca Salus Hodge, who will discuss the importance of our Jewish community embracing and supporting families facing challenges such as mental illness, substance abuse and raising children with disabilities. She will also highlight the importance of asking for help during times of stress and crisis. This program will be in person and virtual. To learn more and register, click here.
JDAIM Shabbat: Services at Temple Sholom in Broomall
Friday, February 25 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person Program
Join Temple Sholom in Broomall for a presentation from a playwright and mother of a child with autism. To learn more and register, click here.
Inclusive Classrooms and Universal Design
Monday, February 28 | 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Program
An evening of learning for educators. Join Whole Community Inclusion Specialist and occupational Alanna Raffel as she shares the approach of universal design for creating inclusive classrooms. Alanna will share ways that you can support students with learning and behavioral challenges by creating classrooms that support all students. Bring your questions — leave with practical resources! To register, click here.
The Changing Landscape: Work and Inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities
Monday, February 28 | 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
Join the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council and JEVS Human Services to learn more about the important work JEVS does locally to train adults with disabilities for jobs. A panel of experts will explore how the pandemic impacted employment for people with disabilities and what new opportunities have emerged for those seeking employment. Hear from employers, advocates, service providers and clients with first-hand experience navigating the labor market during COVID. To register, click here.
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To learn more about JDAIM and find out about any new events that may come up, click here.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia provides support and resources for disability communities in Greater Philadelphia and around the world. You can help this mission by making a gift at jewishphilly.org/donate