Friday, February 18, 2011

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-david-saperstein/invisible-minority-people_b_818983.html

Here is a link to a good article by Rabbi David Sapperstein. Enjoy.  The events for the panel discussion at Orthodox synagogue this weekend have been postponed.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Jewish Disability Awareness Month 2011

I admit I have been lacking here due to surgeries, a lost job, and no motivation to continue the blog for a year. It is time to start again.  Here is a listing of all calendar events for the Twin Cities during the month of February.

January 13–February 28 n For gallery hours visit sabesjcc.org
A Part or Apart? Disability and Inclusion in the Jewish Community
Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis 55416

This exhibit will feature documentary photographs by local artist Jane Strauss, who combines black and white imagery and words with the primary goal of encouraging discussion of disability inclusion in the Jewish community.

Contact: Anita Lewis, 952-381-3489 or alewis@sabesjcc.org

Jewish Family and Children’sService of Minneapolis
Thursday, February 3  6:15–7:45 p.m.
A Part or Apart? Artist and Subject Panel Discussion
Walker Library, 2800 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis MN

A slideshow of exhibit images and a panel discussion of inclusion issues and experiences featuring the artist and participants in the photographic project. Sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis. Slides will be briefly described for people with vision impairments.

Contact: Shelly Christensen, 952-542-4838 or schristensen@jfcsmpls.org

Saturday, February 5
Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 Hillside Ln W, Minnetonka 55305

10:30 a.m. Informal discussion about Parenting for Maximum Inclusion: The Blessings and Challenges. Leader: Shelly Christensen. Location: Adath Library

11:30 a.m. D’var Torah on the topic of Gratitude and Inclusion. Darshanit: Rabbi Lilly Kaufman. Location: Main Sanctuary

Contact: Rabbi Lilly Kaufman, 952-545-8694 or rabbikaufman@adath.net

Mondays, February 7–March 7 (5 weeks) n 7–8 p.m. Member rate, $80; Non-member, $104

Upstream Arts and Social Skills, for Adults 18+
Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis 55416

Upstream Arts, a program for people with disabilities, and the Sabes JCC invite you to spend time creating with your peers in an environment where you can rehearse real-life scenarios and push your creative boundaries. We will use the arts to explore how we can express ourselves socially and how we can communicate through movement, dance, poetry, theater and the visual arts.

Contact: Anita Lewis, 952-381-3489 or alewis@sabesjcc.org

Saturday, February 12 11:15 a.m.
D’var Torah—Behind the Robes
Darchei Noam, 5224 Minnetonka Blvd, Minneapolis 55416

Did we recognize the Kohanim by what they wore, or for who they were? Today, when we meet a fellow community member with a disability, do we see the person or the disability? Bob Kusnetz will investigate what Parshat Tetzaveh teaches us about seeing the whole person, behind the facade.

Contact: 612-920-3424

Tuesday, February 15  7–8 p.m. n $5/person No one is turned away for inability to pay
Darkaynu Café—Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis 55416

Darkaynu Café is a monthly program geared toward young Jewish adults with special needs who socialize, listen and sing along to live Jewish music from tefillah, popular Hebrew songs, and Jewish camp songs. Participants learn and stay connected to one another and to their Jewish heritage through song and social interaction. Sponsored by Sha’arim and the Sabes JCC.

Contact: Anita Lewis, 952-381-3489 or alewis@sabesjcc.org

Jewish Disability Awareness Month Twin Cities Events
Please contact the appropriate organization for registration information and details.

Friday, February 18 1–2 p.m.
Friday Afternoon Music with Chris Savitt
Main Lobby, Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis 55416

Chris is an extraordinary young man who has embraced his gift of providing joy through music. Although Chris may have many challenges in life (he is legally blind and is diagnosed with autism), he has a drive and a desire to give back to his community.

Contact: Anita Lewis, 952-381-3489 or alewis@sabesjcc.org

Friday, February 18 6:30 p.m.
Dinner, Services and Program
Shir Tikvah, 5000 Girard Ave S, Minneapolis 55419

Mark Schwartz will speak on ways for the congregation to welcome members of the deaf/hard of hearing community beyond providing just ASL. The service and program will have ASL interpretation. Following the short service there will be a potluck supper and a panel discussion.
RSVP requested for those requiring ASL interpretation, www.shirtikvah.net

Contact: 612-822-1440

Friday, February 18  6 p.m.

Nefesh Shabbat Dinner and Community Services
Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave S, Minneapolis 55405

Join Temple Israel for dinner and services. The community group for adults with developmental disabilities, Caring Connections, will be joining the Shabbat celebration.

Contact: Trish Thelen, 612-374-0323 or tthelen@templeisrael.com

Friday, February 18—Darchei Noam Inclusion Weekend, Day 1
Darchei Noam, 5224 Minnetonka Blvd, Minneapolis 55416

11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch ‘n Learn at Tel Aviv Café with Rabbi Ozarowski, Jewish Healing Network of Chicago Chaplain, Textual Sources of Disabilities and Inclusion

Rabbi Ozarowski will begin Darchei Noam’s Inclusion Shabbat by examining Biblical and other textual sources of the principles of inclusion, helping others, and respecting people for who they are — all fundamental Jewish values.

6:30 p.m.  Darchei Noam Communal Shabbat Dinner (reservations required)
7:30 p.m. n Panel Discussion, Building an Inclusive Community

Rabbi Ozarowski, Marlee Kivens and Paula Fox will discuss disability and inclusion in communal settings. What can a congregation do to ensure that all members feel that they belong? Following presentations, the panel will pose questions for open discussion.

Saturday, February 19—Darchei Noam Inclusion Weekend, Day 2
11:15 a.m. n Dvar Torah, Key Lessons from Ki Tisa

Parshat Ki Tisa’s main themes are the census, materials for the mishkan (tabernacle), and the Golden Calf.
In the census, everyone—rich, poor, young, old, male, female—was valued equally. Rabbi Ozarowski will discuss what Ki Tisa teaches about inclusion today.

5:30 p.m. Seudah Shelishit, Rabbi Ozarowski’s Class, Are You Being Served?

While a congregation strives to be inclusive, what can individuals do, to help others? A big part of doing the right thing is knowing what to do, by understanding what people need and want—and what they don’t!

Sunday, February 20—Darchei Noam Inclusion Weekend, Day 3

9 a.m. Rabbi Ozarowski’s Class, From Longing to Belonging

The goal of building an inclusive community is to create an environment where all community members feel they belong and can participate to the extent of their abilities and desires. How far have we come? Are we there? Are we on the right track? What more can we do?

Contact: 612-920-3424

Tuesday, February 22  7–8:30 p.m. n Cost, $5
Tikkun Olam, for Adults 18+
Main Lobby, Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis 55416

The Tikkun Olam program meets monthly and focuses on community service and social action. Each month, young adults — with and without disabilities — will have the opportunity to make a difference in and give back to their community, alongside their peers. In February we will focus on feeding people who are hungry.

Contact: Anita Lewis, 952-381-3489 or alewis@sabesjcc.org

Friday, February 25  6 p.m. Potluck Dinner n 8 p.m. Services
Sisterhood Inclusion Shabbat Congregational Dinner
Bet Shalom, 13613 Orchard Rd, Minnetonka 55305

Sisterhood and the Inclusion Committee join together to host a potluck Shabbat dinner. They will provide the main course. The focus will be on creating an inclusive environment. Members of Sisterhood and members with disabilities will be participating in services, including sharing personal poems and inspirational readings.

Contact: 952-933-8525

Saturday February 26  9 a.m.
Services, Learning Disabilities and Styles
B’nai Emet, 3115 Ottawa Ave S, St. Louis Park 55416

This Shabbat service will explore learning disabilities and use different learning styles during the service.
Shelly Christensen will help us understand different learning styles and will also talk to us about inclusion.

Contact: 952-927-7309

Sunday February 27 Curtain 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the community
Community Film Event—Wretches & Jabberers
Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theater, Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, Minneapolis 55416

Two men with autism—an accomplished artist and an activist—embark on a global quest to change attitudes about autism and intelligence. Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland, dissecting, challenging and reshaping public conceptions along the way. Through the film, we find that they are seeking the same things all of us do—spiritual understanding, respect for intelligence, a purpose in life and friendship.

RSVPs are recommended. Please include your name and number of guests when contacting Shelly Christensen at 952-542-4838 or schristensen@jfcsmpls.org.

Individuals requiring additional services to participate should contact Anita Lewis at 952-381-3489
or alewis@sabesjcc.org

Celebrating Beth El’s Accessibility
Beth El Synagogue, 5224 W 26th St, St. Louis Park 55416

After years in the planning, Beth El Synagogue is completing building renovations. By including an elevator and ramps as centerpieces of the design, Beth El has made accessibility a top priority. Look for a special celebration dedicating our new, accessible facility.

Contact: Rabbi Alexander Davis, 952-920-3512

If you require special accommodations in order to participate in these programs, please contact the sponsoring organization to make your request.

The Minneapolis Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities is a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis and is funded by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the Toodie and Frank Trestman Special Needs and Collaborative Education Endowment Fund of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.Jewish Family and Children’sService of Minneapolis