Blog

In Pirkei Avot, “Ben Azzai taught: Do not disdain any person. Do not underrate the importance of anything, for there is no person who does not have their hour, and there is no thing without its place in the sun.”

We spent an entire year studying what it means to “belong.” The four steps to belonging were identified as Noticed, Named, Known and Needed. But those are not enough. Accessibility is also key. Our Hineini committee makes sure that everything that Temple Sinai has to offer is accessible to all and acknowledges the diversity of abilities found within our community. Even if someone is named or known, if they can’t easily use the restroom, read a siddur, hear a sermon or get into the building, there is no possible way that they could feel a sense of belonging.

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), a unified initiative to raise disability awareness and support efforts to foster inclusion in Jewish communities worldwide. Temple Sinai has honored many people of varying abilities over the years. Each person has brought their beautiful story and shared their gifts, inspiring us with the contributions they make to their families and the greater community.

This Shabbat we will continue that tradition as we welcome to our bima Nicole DeWard, founder of RISE coffee & tea, along with two of her baRISEtas. RISE coffee & tea is a non-profit coffee shop that provides a safe work environment for special needs adults, giving them a place in which to shine their light. They will be providing coffee and desserts at our oneg Shabbat this week. You can learn more about them here: https://rise-coffeetea.com/

Rabbi Harold Kushner (author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People) wrote, “The decency of a society is measured by how it cares for its least powerful members.” May this Shabbat remind us how to care for, lift up and honor those who have so much to teach us about life and the human spirit.

Shabbat shalom,

Beth