Three synagogues will be represented: Adas Israel, a large Conservative congregation in Washington, DC (Judy Heumann); Kol Ami, a small Reconstructionist congregation in Arlington VA (Rayna Aylward and Toni Popkin) and Ohr Shalom Synagogue (Jeanne Argoff). We will begin by briefly discussing how each synagogue initially addressed inclusion and accessibility issues, what they do now, what they plan for the future, and what we can learn from each other. We will segue into Judy’s story, which interweaves her Jewish upbringing, her lifelong struggle to belong in her synagogue and schools (Jewish and public), her career (spanning her first job as a school teacher to her later career in highly placed government positions), and her leadership in the disability civil/human rights movement.

Recommended Viewing: Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is a 2020 American documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht. Barack and Michelle Obama served as executive producers. The film is available on Netflix. To view the trailer, click HERE.

Judy Heumann is a veteran advocate for disability rights from fighting for her own teaching credentials to her tenure as Asst. Sect’y of Education under President Clinton. 

Paralyzed from polio at eighteen months, Judy’s struggle for equality began early in life. From fighting to attend grade school after being described as a “fire hazard” to later winning a lawsuit against the New York City school system for denying her a teacher’s license because of her paralysis, Judy’s actions set a precedent that fundamentally improved rights for disabled people.

As a young woman, Judy rolled her wheelchair through the doors of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco as a leader of the Section 504 Sit-In, the longest takeover of a governmental building in US history. Working with a community of over 150 disabled activists and allies, Judy successfully pressured the Carter administration to implement protections for disabled peoples’ rights, sparking a national movement and leading to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Check out Judith’s interview on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

This is in support of Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). JDAIM is a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities and those who love them and is observed each February.

Beth Israel is a Community Partner for this event. Special thanks to Ohr Shalom Synagogue for making this available to our community.

There is no fee. This event is held virtually on Zoom. To join the event, visit: Ohr Shalom Zoom (Passcode: myshul)