Community Contact Information:
Congregation Schaarai Zedek
Tampa, FL
http://www.zedek.org/
Goals:
- Teach children about issues of physical and mental disability.
- Connect issues of disability to Jewish belief and practice.
- Develop a greater understanding of disability in the larger community.
Overview:
The congregation hosted a sub-regional junior youth group shul-in (6th, 7th and 8th grades) with the educational goal of acquainting their youth with the special needs of physically and mentally challenged adults.
Preparation:
The congregation enlisted the aid of the County Special Olympics Office and staff from the Special Education Department of the County School System. With the advice of these professionals, they created "Special Olympics Awareness Games and Workshops"--a series of activities designed to simulate physical challenges in non-challenged individuals. Members of the synagogue’s youth group assisted the professional staff during the Shul-In.
Project Implementation:
The Shul-In began with a special Shabbat service incorporating prayers from "That All May Worship," a publication of the National Organization on Disability, and using Leviticus Chapter 19 as the morning's Torah portion. Throughout the morning and early afternoon, small groups participated in specially designed workshops to experience obstacles faced by challenged individuals. The workshop focused on visual simulation, Braille usage, learning disabilities, sign language, sighted guide relays, wheelchair relays and braced-cane relays. Special speakers explained the ways in which their physical and mental challenges affected their lives. A man who lost his sight at the age of 18 demonstrated the use of his guide dog. Students also heard a young woman born with Downs Syndrome, a statewide Special Olympian of the Year. Both speakers fielded questions from the audience. The groups attended study sessions where they were exposed to ethical dilemmas regarding inclusion versus exclusion in special education programs. The groups reconvened for a panel discussion between the rabbi, a local special education teacher, and a congregant who is the parent of a child with Downs Syndrome. The participants discussed Jewish attitudes toward physical and mental challenges and answered the children’s questions.
Results:
Ninety-five children from the region attended the shul-in.
