20% of the Jewish community is disabled. Isn’t that shocking? I found this out by reading an excellent article on Matan Kids that addresses their unique needs and how we can take steps to reach out to them.

These suggestions include making necessary changes in the areas of housing, education, employment, spiritual access, and community—a sort of Jewish Disabilities Act.

Because I have witnessed firsthand how many people with disabilities become unaffiliated through default, I think it’s very important to make any reasonable accommodation to keep them included.

We need to also remember that a disability can be mental or physical, and a mental one isn’t always apparent. Sometimes people are embarrassed or afraid to ask for assistance and rarely is it offered.

Instead of wringing our hands about a lack of involvement, let’s try to change it in practical ways:

1. Install handicapped ramps and elevators, whenever possible
2. Offer both traditional and large print books
3. Set up carpools for those who don’t drive
4. Employ disabled members to work easy jobs in the temple (cleaning, lawn care, etc.)
5. Provide money for their care, which could be from members’ donations or the Rabbi’s discretionary fund

Our members are the true strength of the Jewish Community and everyone should feel welcome.

Do you support a Jewish Disabilities Act?

Can you imagine a bible the size of a grain of sugar? It’s true! Created by scientists in Israel, the Nano Bible is a microchip onto which the entire Hebrew Bible was engraved. The tiny bible needs to be magnified 10,000 times to be legible and can only be read with a microscope.

The Nano Bible serves as a contemporary complement to the Dead Sea Scrolls and will be on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem until December 31, 2016.

Isn’t modern technology amazing? Personally, I couldn’t even conceive of such an idea, let alone create it.

The Jewish Community of San Antonio, Texas was attacked on August 12. Dozens of homes and cars were vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti—swastikas and the letters “KKK” were spray-painted on Jewish memorials and  “Jew” was painted on an SUV.

This stomach-turning terror incident took place in a predominantly Orthodox neighborhood where Congregation Rodfei Sholom is located and 300 families live.

Hate crimes like these upset me terribly! It seems like they happen so frequently and the public reaction is often apathetic, but not this time. Pastor John Hagee was quoted as saying, “An attack on the Jewish community should be considered an attack on the Christian community.” (Additional comments/info can be found here.) Hagee has been a strong and vocal supporter of Israel for decades and has done a lot of Interfaith outreach between Christians and Jews.

I believe it’s an attack on EVERY community, and it’s refreshing to see folks from different faiths recognize that. These crimes won’t stop occurring until good people band together and denounce these cowards. Anti-Semitism isn’t just a Jewish problem, it’s a human problem.

Request a free Canada-Israel flag pin, compliments of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

Wearing this pin is a strong sign that you support Canada, Israel, and freedom! Last year, they gave out free America-Israel pins and mine is still proudly displayed on my jacket lapel. I will be adding the second pin, and hopefully a third if they offer more in the future.