Jewish Values and People With Disabilities: Appreciating the Variety of Life

Rabbi Asher Sofman, RRC ‘23, is Reconstructing Judaism’s inaugural justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) coordinator. Sofman (he/him) is passionate about disability inclusion, which is part of his portfolio. Last year, for Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) he spearheaded a social media campaign featuring Reconstructionist congregations.

Shortly after graduating college six years ago, Rakhel Silverman-Gitin (they/them) organized a Shabbat dinner and received a query from an interested participant. Would the dinner be wheelchair-accessible?

Like many Reconstructionists, Wendy Elliott-Vandivier, an artist and disability activist, has long imagined what a more inclusive Jewish world could be — and has worked to bring it about, particularly in her own community, Or Hadash in Pennsylvania.