On December 6th I had the opportunity to once again participate in the conference, designed to help Jewish philanthropy increase its attention and commitment to programs for people with disabilities. Jay Ruderman, the President of the Ruderman Family Foundation kicked off the conference by announcing the first ever prize for inclusive Jewish programs. See http://www.rudermanfoundation.org/news_and_events/RudermanDisabilityPrize.pdf
The Ruderman Disability Prize is intended to encourage innovating and inclusive programs for people with disabilities in the Jewish Community. I am helping review the applications and am hoping to read about some wonderful programs.
There were many terrific speakers. Marlee Matlin the Academy Award winning actress spoke of growing up deaf and Jewish in Chicago, and how her career and her advocacy for people who are deaf coincided. A great quote from her presentation, when speaking of her parents' desires for her to explore, on her own, her physical community... "If I could not explore the neighborhood, how could I be expected to explore the world?" Needless to say, she was fantastic.
Tim Shriver also did his usual job of motivating and inspiring people He showed a short video that is worth watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iSlok6muY0 It was produced by a 16 year old girl who has a younger brother with Down Syndrome. Such talent at an early age.
There were many interesting breakout sessions. I got to do one with Arlene Kanter, the Director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University School of Law. Though I have read her stuff for years I had never actually met her. I was surprised at some of the strong negative reactions I got to issues related to Article XIX, especially people choosing where they live, as compared with their parents choosing for them. Lots of work remaining.
Isaac Herzog, a Member of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and son of the former President talked about fairness and justice in Israel. Barry Shrage of Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston gave an affirmative presentation on the role and responsibility of Jewish Federations in causing change for people with disabilities and other marginalized populations.
The final speaker was journalist and author Tom Fields-Meter, the author of Following Ezra, a book about raising his son Ezra who is autistic. He is a great storyteller. One segment in participial-when a therapist said they should go home and mourn for the child they did not have-a "normal" child. He said they decided to celebrate the child they did have, and went on to tell some stories about what Ezra could do, what he was learning and how he was growing. I am going to buy the book.
Jay Ruderman ended, briefly and succinctly, saying that including people with disabilities is about justice.
Until next time......
The Ruderman Disability Prize is intended to encourage innovating and inclusive programs for people with disabilities in the Jewish Community. I am helping review the applications and am hoping to read about some wonderful programs.
There were many terrific speakers. Marlee Matlin the Academy Award winning actress spoke of growing up deaf and Jewish in Chicago, and how her career and her advocacy for people who are deaf coincided. A great quote from her presentation, when speaking of her parents' desires for her to explore, on her own, her physical community... "If I could not explore the neighborhood, how could I be expected to explore the world?" Needless to say, she was fantastic.
Tim Shriver also did his usual job of motivating and inspiring people He showed a short video that is worth watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iSlok6muY0 It was produced by a 16 year old girl who has a younger brother with Down Syndrome. Such talent at an early age.
There were many interesting breakout sessions. I got to do one with Arlene Kanter, the Director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University School of Law. Though I have read her stuff for years I had never actually met her. I was surprised at some of the strong negative reactions I got to issues related to Article XIX, especially people choosing where they live, as compared with their parents choosing for them. Lots of work remaining.
Isaac Herzog, a Member of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and son of the former President talked about fairness and justice in Israel. Barry Shrage of Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston gave an affirmative presentation on the role and responsibility of Jewish Federations in causing change for people with disabilities and other marginalized populations.
The final speaker was journalist and author Tom Fields-Meter, the author of Following Ezra, a book about raising his son Ezra who is autistic. He is a great storyteller. One segment in participial-when a therapist said they should go home and mourn for the child they did not have-a "normal" child. He said they decided to celebrate the child they did have, and went on to tell some stories about what Ezra could do, what he was learning and how he was growing. I am going to buy the book.
Jay Ruderman ended, briefly and succinctly, saying that including people with disabilities is about justice.
Until next time......
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