Welcoming Jews with developmental disabilities

By Carly Stein

Ben Azzai taught: Do not disdain any person. Do not underrate the importance of anything. For there is no person who does not have his hour and there is no thing without its place in the sun.

(Pirkei Avot 4:3)

The ideal Jewish community is a place where all feel welcomed and embraced, where everyone has a place they feel invited and comfortable.

For Twin Cities area Jewish adults with developmental disabilities, Caring Connections is that place. Caring Connections reaches out to Jewish adults with developmental disabilities and offers meaningful opportunities to reconnect with their Jewish community as well as with Jewish resources.  

Caring Connections is a joint program of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, the Sabes Jewish Community Center, and the St. Paul Jewish Community Center.

Monthly religious and social events such as Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, musical performances and storytelling gatherings provide adults opportunities to socialize and engage with their Jewish peers. This can help remove the isolation often experienced by lack of inclusion.

My first program as Caring Connections Coordinator was a bowling party co-hosted by the seventh and eighth grade religious school students at Temple Israel. As I entered, I was greeted with smiles and glee both from the Caring Connections participants and the religious school students.

Introducing myself around the room, I learned that one couple had recently become engaged, a young woman was excitedly awaiting her friend’s arrival and another participant was glad to be bowling outside of his Special Olympics league.  

Seeing more than 50 Caring Connections participants bowling and socializing with young members of our community was heartwarming, not only because of the inclusion our participants experienced, but also because everyone was engaged and enjoying the day.
 
I recently called one of our younger participants, to see how she was doing. She replied that she was very excited because her friends at Hillel were coming to support her and participate in an upcoming Caring Connections program.

What did she like best about Caring Connections? “I really like the cool people and the staff that do the programs,” she said. “They’re really appreciative of people with disabilities.”  
 
I also talked with another frequent Caring Connections participant. After a few minutes of chatting I could tell he wanted to share something. “You guys are doing a very good job... I just hope you keep it up!”

If you know Jewish adults with disabilities, their families or caregivers, encourage them to learn more about Caring Connections and participate in our programs. Come volunteer at a Caring Connections event or sponsor a program with your family or congregation.

Caring Connections will hold its Purim celebration from 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the St. Paul JCC. Wear your favorite Purim costume (optional) and join us for bingo, storytelling by Carla Vogel and light refreshments. This event is free and we encourage you to bring friends, family and housemates. For transportation and to RSVP, contact Ann Hoffer at 651-255-4759 or ahoffer@stpauljcc.org by March 1.

The Jewish community is committed to the inclusion of all people. When we include everyone, we strengthen our community and increase its diversity and richness.

If you would like more information about Caring Connections or have interest in sponsoring a program, please contact Carly Stein at 952-542-4835 or cstein@jfcsmpls.org.

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Carly Stein is Caring Connections Coordinator at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis.

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