Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Join Shalom Orlando in celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month. We recognize JDAAIM because we know that nearly 20 percent of our population live with a disability. To put that in perspective:

• 52 million adults in the United States live with a disability 

• 10,000 Jews in Central Florida live with a disability 

• 55 children in the Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Center live with a disability, which is almost three per classroom.

In short, everyone knows someone who is living with a disability, and all of those individuals deserve a space in our community.

Through Shalom Orlando's RAISE (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees) program, adults with disabilities are provided with a paid work experience with a 1:1 volunteer job coach, social skills training, and assistance with transition to jobs in the community.

Every week Shalom Orlando hears from our participants about the skills they are learning, the relationships they have built, and the confidence that they gain through RAISE. We also hear from the hundreds of people who interact with RAISE participants about how small interactions have changed their perspective on what a person with disabilities can accomplish. RAISE has created a sense of inclusion here at Shalom Orlando and our broader community.

We also hear from corporations and employers. Amazon has asked to partner with RAISE; agreeing to hire any interested RAISE graduates because they recognize the value that these individuals bring to their culture, as well as to their bottom line.

Judaism teaches us that we are all made b'tzelem elohim (in the image of God), and yet we are taught in the mishnah that humans are like coins all cast from the same die - each slightly different than the one before. Judaism further goes on to ascribe a blessing to celebrate diversity and differences. 

We are taught to recite "Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, m'shaneh habriyot" - Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes people different.

In Pirkei Avot (2:4), Hillel commands us, "do not separate yourself from the community." Our community is better when we celebrate the impact of those who are different from us, and we cannot do this without your support.

All financial gifts to support RAISE are 100 percent tax deductible and can be made via the link at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E354623&id=32 or by check made out to RAISE and mailed to: Shalom Orlando, Attn: Sam Friedman, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for your compassion. Thank you for making our community a better and more inclusive place for us all.