I recently had the good fortune of presenting a live session with the Jewish Grandparents Network. If you are not yet familiar with this organization, I encourage you to get to know them. The Family Room is a lovely and growing opportunity to explore ideas and resources to strengthen relationships with grandchildren of all ages. I was thrilled to lead a conversation where we explored ways to enrich relationships with grandchildren through the use of inclusive language, deep learning, and active listening.  Framed in the Jewish value of b'tzelem elohim (created in the image of God ..read more

This post contains affiliate links It has been some time since I shared a list of books for children with disabled characters. Representation is a critical component to helping children develop a healthy self-image.  It’s important for children to experience books that provide mirrors (books where children can identify with the characters) and windows (books where the children can see into the lives of those that are different from them). There are a lot of great secular books with disabled characters for children of all ages and reading abilities. Here is a long list that I continue to ..read more

updated November 2020 Inclusion takes intentional planning and hard work. Especially now in the time of remote and hybrid learning experiences. Even the most seasoned educators are figuring out a new way of teaching and will make mistakes from time to time. It is not a time to be critical of ourselves or others. Rather, the key is to recognize that mistakes will happen. Our goal is to accept responsibility and grow in the process. Here are what I believe to be the ten most common inclusion mistakes: 1. Not devoting enough time for planning Most teachers will agree; there are just not ..read more

updated Oct. 2020 While all of our programs, classrooms, and worship opportunities should be inclusive, inclusion itself is not a program. It’s not a one-time workshop or training session. Inclusion is an attitude, it is something that is just naturally woven into the fabric of what we do. At least it should be. I was reminded of something significant that I have learned from one of my mentors in the world of Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion. Rabbi Lynne Landsberg z"l (of blessed memory), taught that "Inclusion is NOT social action." And yet, all too often, congregations do not kn ..read more

Updated 2020 Saying that the high holy day season is a busy time of year for Jewish professionals is like suggesting that a teacher has a “few things to do” in the week leading up to the opening of school; it’s truly a profound understatement. The holy days require many hours of thoughtful preparation in writing, teaching, cooking, cleaning, and so much more. We work to prepare our children & families, our teachers & students, our many congregants; not to mention that we must somehow find the time to prepare ourselves. And now, amidst a global pandemic? It is a whole different kind ..read more

As we mark the 30th anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) we can joyfully celebrate the many accomplishments to date as we think deeply about the work that still lies ahead. A moving resource is the ADA Legacy Project's "Because of the ADA I..." campaign, which offers a collection of inspirational quotes and stories made possible by this groundbreaking legislation.  When I conduct professional workshops and training sessions for Jewish leaders seeking to become more inclusive, I typically begin by asking them to share their definition of inclusion. (There are fun &a ..read more

Updated May 2020 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we find ourselves increasingly challenged in ways we never expected just a few short months ago. Our lives as parents look dramatically different as we juggle our own work responsibilities, childcare, household management, financial strain, and issues of mental health & well-being. This is hard. Educationally we have experienced a rapid shift to online learning experiences. There is tremendous variation in the quality and effectiveness of such instruction around the country. Even where an individual teacher's online instruc ..read more

I was recently invited to be one of 24 Educators asked to share a response to the following question: What are the three key tips for adapting your traditional way of teaching to online classrooms? (Click here to read the full article) Here's my response: As the Education Director of a synagogue in Central New Jersey, a significant part of my job is running a supplemental religious school for children in PK-12. Students meet once or twice a week to learn Jewish values, holidays, history, culture, and Hebrew language. We run immersive overnight experiences for teens in grades 6 ..read more

Let me be clear: Never in my adult life did I expect that going to the supermarket would become the most stressful part of my week. Amidst the international crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the simple, mundane tasks many of us take for granted have changed drastically. Even before the pandemic, weekly grocery shopping was a chore, and certainly not something I looked forward to doing. But, admittedly, I took it for granted. I would try to find some coupons, and would read the weekly sale circular, yet I bought whatever I wanted, knowing there would be a multitude of choices. Occasionally ..read more

                                                                                                                 This post contains affiliate links Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday and celebrations take place in the home, around the table, typically with many members of extended families joining together. A Passover seder is meant to be a lively, interactive experience that engages participants of every age and ability level. This year, families are seeking to replace their large gatherings with virtual seders. While some Jews have been incorporating virtual aspects fo ..read more