KolEhadJRFCommitteeonInclusionofPeoplewith.docVIP

Kol Ehad: Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Committee on Inclusion of People with Disabilities Kol Ehad: JRF Committee on Inclusion of People with Disabilities Kol Ehad [Everyone] works toward full participation of all Jewish people, their families and life partners, in JRF congregations and havurot. Formed by the JRF board in January 1994, it consists of three Task Forces: one on inclusion for people with disabilities, one on inclusion of gays and lesbians, and one on inclusion of intermarried people. This document concerns the Task Force for Inclusion of People with Disabilities. The Task Force is made up of people with and without disabilities who have person and/or professional knowledge about special needs. [Note: The Task Force credits That All May Worship: An interfaith Welcome to People With Disabilities by Ann Rose Davie and Ginny Thornburgh, National Organization on Disability, 1992, for much of the information, language and ideas that appear in this report.] Task Force Members: Shelly Rosenberg, chairperson Marlene Craven Esther Miller Esther Newman Fran Abramson Rabbi Joshua Lesser Rabbi Rachel Esserman Joyce Dolcourt Richard Hamowitz  Background Information Who are People with Disabilities? A person with a disability is a person who has physical, sensory, emotional or intellectual impairment that substantially limits one or more of his/her life activities. These are activities that a person without a disability can perform with little or no difficulty. Examples include walking, speaking, breathing, seeing, hearing, reading, writing, learning, working, performing manual tasks, managing self care and participating in recreational activities. People with Disabilities and the Synagogue In the past, synagogues have made few efforts to include people with disabilities. In fact, in some cases, they have been excluded in order to conform with halachah that indicates that only people with certain characteristics are eligible to lead prayers. Ofte