Jewish Disability, Accessibility, and Incluscion Month

Special Adult Ed Programming

Sunday 2/4/24 9:30-11:00 AM
The World Could Not Exist Without You - A discussion about inclusion and the life cycle, through the lens of Jewish texts.
Adult Education in collaboration with the Accessibility & Inclusion Committee (90 min session)

Guest Instructor: Carolyn Keller, Jerusalem Fellow, graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and earned her MA in Jewish Education from Brandeis University. Carolyn is a former educator and community builder in the Boston Jewish community for four decades.  She has been instrumental in many successful enterprises, from Me’ah Jewish adult education program to the founding the MetroWest Jewish Day School. She is past New England Regional Director for the University of Haifa and is currently consulting with Keren Or, a school in Jerusalem for blind children with multiple handicaps, and is pleased to help support educational institutions in Israel. She is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother to four grandchildren.

Co-instructor: Sharon Shafrir, Temple Sinai member and Chair of the Accessibility & Inclusion Committee. Sharon is a Judaic educator and an advocate parent, who participated in the course on Parenting for Inclusion through Boston’s Hebrew College, taught by Carolyn Keller.

Limited space - registration is required!

Sunday, 2/11, 9:30-10:30 AM
Ability and Age Inclusion Through Religious Practices

An in-person open-floor exploration of needs and possibilities, led by Temple Sinai Accessibility & Inclusion Committee members: Alana Frank, Martha Scott Chazanoff, and Sharon Shafrir

Limited space - registration is required!

Erev Shabbat Speakers

Friday 2/16/24, 8:00 pm 
B’nai Mitzvah is an important Jewish life cycle landmark. The planning and anxiety associated with the preparation process are enhanced and tightened when a child with special needs is preparing for their rite of passage. While each child and each family has their unique approach to preparing for such an event, it is much easier when “you don’t have to invent the wheel”… We will discuss a unique resource that is developed and about to be launched, aimed to offer families ideas and approaches to tackle the task at hand. 

Judy Livingston, MFA, Graphic Design is a local artist, designer, and educator; Principal of Good Work Good Cause graphic design. Judy has developed a website, StartWithYes.org, designed to encourage and inspire families of children with special needs to have a meaningful and empowering b’nai mitzvah experience. The website includes stories from families who have enjoyed successful adaptive ceremonies. These stories highlight proven ideas and identify helpful expert resources.

Friday 2/23/24, 6:00 pm 

How do we recognize when someone is in need of support? How do you broach the topic of mental illness? What resources are available? Mental health and mental illness can be challenging topics to discuss. We will review some dos and don’ts when it comes to supporting someone who is struggling with their mental health or the mental health of a loved one.  

Presented by Beth Winslow-D’Amico. Beth is the Director of Programs and Training at NAMI Rochester (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She provides oversight of NAMI Rochester’s education and support programs including presentations to school, community, and workplace groups. Beth worked as the NAMI Rochester Program Coordinator from 2015-2018 and is thrilled to be back with the organization under the leadership of Executive Director/CEO, Donna Leigh-Estes.