At 19 months old, I was put on a medication called phenobarbital, which was “older than Moses.” My first cognizant memory of being on medication is when my friends asked me, “what does it taste like?” “Cherry.” And so, my fate was sealed. I’d always be the first one asleep at every sleepover. The very [click to continue...]
Counting the Omer is a reminder that, in addition to counting the days, we also must reflect on who is counted in our communities. Everyone Counts. Ask yourself: How do people with disabilities and mental health conditions and those who love them actually count in your community? When I was the Program Manager of the [click to continue...]
The summer after my first year in college, I went to Switzerland to visit my relatives. When I got there, I recognized my great aunt Rebecca. She was visiting from Bolivia. This was a wonderful surprise. She possessed an aura of warmth and love for all of us, and that is something I take with [click to continue...]
As I was reading Shelly’s introductory note, I couldn’t help but reflect on the deep significance of building a house of worship that draws everyone into belonging. I think many of us have probably noted the inherent dichotomy between the Torah’s exclamation that we were all designed in the image of God, with the observable [click to continue...]
“For My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples” Isaiah 56:7 Many faith traditions highlight this text from the book of Isaiah as a longstanding declaration of welcome and inclusion. Perhaps your congregation or organization has a plaque near the main entrance to your building with this quotation, or maybe it’s part [click to continue...]
Hello Members of the RespectAbility Faith Inclusion Family, When was the last time you started something new? Was it a new job, a new relationship, or a new stage of your life? Did a new opportunity come into your life unexpectedly? A month ago, I was happily running my consulting business, working on a new [click to continue...]
They viewed me in a cruel and envious way I kept being myself They said I brag about my success I was honored to share my accomplishments They triggered my attachments to sports and favorite athletes I practiced everyday with coaches by myself and won championships They bad-mouthed my world travels I felt motivated to [click to continue...]
Jews are among 40 million Americans struggling with substance addiction. Since 1999, 25 million are in recovery, and nearly 1 million died of an overdose. Results from a research study published in the Journal of Addiction indicate that more than 20 percent of Jews with a substance use disorder have a family history of addictive [click to continue...]
“You know, Ilana,” my friend Cat said to me in one of many long-distance conversations, “You’re so kind and loving to everyone but yourself.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes. How many times have I heard similar remarks from therapists over the years, or the oft repeated reminder to practice self-compassion, advice I [click to continue...]
On Sunday I was waiting to pick up my grandsons, Eli and Isaac, from Hebrew school at our synagogue. I listened as their classes were practicing the Four Questions in the sanctuary. Like their dad and their uncles before them, they would officially lead the Four Questions at our seders this year! The passage of [click to continue...]
