These posters are designed to be placed at the entrances of Reconstructionist communities, in order to publicly affirmour shared Jewish values of diversity, inclusion, respect, and welcoming, and to stand up to bigotry and intimidation.
Type: Other
Inclusive Communities
Rabbi Richard Hirsh discusses the importance of providing grape juice in addition to wine at congregational and ritual gatherings.
Topics: Jewish Practice, Community Building, Congregational and Organizational Life, Family Issues, Holy Days and Rituals, Religious Values, Pesach, Building Community, Inclusive Communities
Type: Policy
Look Into My Eyes: Coming Face to Face with Disability, a mini-course held at RRC, was designed to help participants increase their capacity to work with people of differing abilities. We’ve recreated it here in video and articles that offer insights from Jewish tradition, explorations of the heart, and teachings from rabbis who are leaders in serving diverse communities. This course resides on the website of the Reconstrucitonist Rabbinical College. Go directly to the course.
Topics: Inclusive Communities
Seeing the Other
Rabbi Jacob Staub discusses the importance of seeing and attempting to understand people who are not like us. Even in today's world of progressive Judaism, we still encounter instances where people are marginalized by language that is used or assumptions that are made. He uses the example of heteronormativity in biblical and rabbinic texts, and outlines how these passages are not one-size-fits-all.
Topics: Gay/Lesbian Issues, Inclusive Communities
The Value of a Different Path
Raqbbi Jacob Staub considers Mother's Day and Father's Day through the lens of people who don't have children.
Coming Out
Rabbi Jacob Staub reflects on the process of coming out.
Topics: Gay/Lesbian Issues, Inclusive Communities
Type: Essay
Hebrew and English Texts Related to Disabilities and Inclusion
In the secular calendar, February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month. This resource created by Rabbi Michelle Greenfield, RRC '12, includes Hebrew texts that are often quoted when talking about inclusion of people with different abilities.
Topics: Religious Values, Inclusive Communities
Jewish Values and People With Disabilities—Appreciating the Variety of Life
This compilation of quotes from various text sources conveys Jewish values regarding people with special needs.
Type: Text Compilation
Interfaith Letter - Americans with Disabilities Act
Letter sent to Congress on June 23, 2008 to support amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by a coalition of religious organizations.
Type: Other
1994 Report of Kol Ehad: JRF Committee on Inclusion of People With Disabilities
In 1994, Kol Ehad: JRF Committee on Inclusion of People With Disabilities issued this report about fully including people with disabilities in Reconstructionist congregations.
Topics: Education, Congregational Development, Jewish Life, Community Building, Inclusive Communities
Type: Community Discussion Guide