As I count the Omer, it is impossible not to think of the seven-week journey. For those of us that have studied Jewish tradition, it is a truism that the Israelites did not leave Egypt primarily to escape slavery but rather to be free to serve God. They took a risk for a reward. The [click to continue...]
I’ve been counting the days since I embarked on my new journey at RespectAbility. Today is Day 20. Four whole weeks; time has flown. I’m happy to report that I feel more confident and am settling into my new routine. It has been wonderful getting to know our Staff and Apprentices and bringing my background, [click to continue...]
Interfaith conversations and programs are a staple of the Religion and Spirituality Network of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). Every year, the Network produces a webinar series on timely and important concerns with an interfaith approach. The Network’s 2022 webinar series, “When Hospitality & Belonging Become Hard: Faith Community Strategies for Responding to Adults [click to continue...]
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...]
