This coming Shabbat at KI we will celebrate our February’s Jewish Disability, Awareness and Inclusion Month. We will share this evening with our friends at AADD (Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities) and JCHAI (Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence). AADD is an organization that provides social, educational, and support programs for adults with developmental disabilities, helping them build friendships, independence, and community connections. JCHAI is an organization based in Pennsylvania that provides housing, vocational, and social support for adults with developmental disabilities and autism. Their goal is to help individuals live independently while being part of an inclusive and supportive community.

Inclusion in Jewish life is not a modern concept—it’s deeply rooted in Torah. This week’s portion: Mishpatim challenges us to think: Who in our community feels like an outsider?

How can we build systems that make sure everyone is heard, seen, and valued? Are we just welcoming, or are we ensuring justice and dignity for all? Mishpatim is filled with laws that teach us ethical treatment of all people, including those who are marginalized: “Do not mistreat or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt” (Exodus 22:20). This is one of the most striking commandments urging empathy and inclusion.

At KI, we strive to be inclusive, and with the leadership of our KI congregant, Ellen Sklaroff, we have over the years developed an Inclusion Committee, a Mission Statement, and created several powerful initiatives that give everyone at KI an opportunity to help those in our midst receive more understanding, love and compassion. If you would like to be a part of our Inclusion Committee, please contact our Inclusion chair, Tracy Greenbaum at tracygreenbaum@gmail.com to learn more about the work of our Inclusion Committee on our webpage here.

Over the last year, we set, as our goal, finding more opportunities not to just host our friends at AADD/JCHAI but to get to know them. Through The KItchen and with the help of our congregant, Sharon Rhodes, we launched Cooking for a Cause. This program works with different organizations and gives us, as a community, an opportunity to socialize and support our friends, and also an opportunity to LEARN from them. They have more to teach us about compassion than anyone! We bake for the oneg with AADD/JCHAI once a month and their treats are then served at the following Shabbat (lucky us- it will be this week!!). If you want to volunteer please contact anita@kenesethisrael.org.

This Shabbat join us and celebrate with us, and gain the gifts of understanding and love from our friends at AADD/JCHAI. Open your hearts, and celebrate this opportunity to celebrate Jewish Disability, Awareness and Inclusion Month!