A month to celebrate Jewish disability awareness and inclusion

Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month is a thing? Who knew? I didn’t until very recently.

I’ve been involved in the Jewish community for many years, even before my conversion. But I only recently found out about this special month now that I’ve become more involved in the rare disease community. Being Jewish and living with hereditary angioedema and other diseases are two of the most significant parts of my life and intrinsically enmeshed in my being a woman, wife, mother, patient, caregiver, and advocate.

The Jewish people have long been recognized as one of the oldest and most marginalized groups in history. Simply by being who we are, we understand what it’s like to be othered and not fit in. Over millennia the Jews have been incapacitated by restrictions placed upon them, denied rights, and ostracized as invalids. But did you know they’ve also been one of the ethnic groups most inclusive of disabilities?

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The Book of Leviticus, in the Torah, states, “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” Judaism cares greatly about human rights for all people and works diligently to advocate and improve access for everyone. “Justice, justice shall you pursue” is a phrase from Deuteronomy that urges people to seek fair treatment for all.

Most synagogues of every affiliation as well as Jewish community centers offer multiple forms of accommodation and inclusion. They offer access in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act and more, including sign interpreters, sensory adaptation, and quiet spaces. Most recently I received an email from the Jewish Journal announcing a new venture in Israel. For the first time, the nation is establishing an inclusive campus for toddlers with and without disabilities in the city of Ra’anana.

Even within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), there’s significant inclusion. Not only are people of many faiths allowed to serve, but also disabled people. The IDF, in my view, is one of the most progressive and diverse military organizations in the world.

The organization that oversees Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month, now celebrating its 15th year, is known as Disability Belongs. It provides many programs, events, webinars, and other resources — not only for the Jewish community, but for everyone.

I’m proud to be part of the Jewish community as well as the rare disease community. Both are strongly inclusive groups that support all of us living with challenges by providing social, physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual support to everyone in need.

Note: Angioedema News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Angioedema News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to angioedema.