By: Linda Levin, Kehillah Chadashah President
“Baruch Ata Hashem, Elokeinu, Melech haolam, mishaneh habriot.”
Blessed are You, God, Sovereign of all worlds who creates variety in life.
This month, Reconstructionist congregations around the world are observing Jewish Disabilities Awareness month. On February 11, Kehillah Chadashah held services and heard from journalist Herb Drill as he shared his story of how his Judaism has inspired him and motivated him to overcome his multiple disabilities. We read several different Jewish texts having to do with Jewish values and people with disabilities. Below are two sample texts in particular and corresponding questions for you to contemplate and discuss with your family and friends.
Genesis 1:27
God created the human in God’s own image…male and female, God created them…
Questions: What does it mean to be created in God’s own image? Is it his/her physical image? Or something else? If not God’s literal image, than how are we created in God’s image? Is it to be “godly”? And what does that mean?
Leviticus 19:14
You shall not insult the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind. You shall have awe for God. I am the Lord.
Questions: Is it enough to just not insult the deaf? Or can we stop others from insulting the deaf? Is it enough to not place stumbling blocks before the blind? Or should we also remove the blocks and barriers that are already in place? What are some of the things we can do as individuals? As a congregation?
