Expanding Jewish Education for Adults with Disabilities

The Jewish Association for Residential Care (JARC) in Boca Raton, Florida, is implementing a new curriculum aimed at providing Jewish education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program, titled "What’s Mine is Yours: Jewish Adult Learning for All," was developed by the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning in collaboration with Matan, an organization focused on educating Jewish leaders about disability inclusion. This initiative addresses a significant gap in formal Jewish education tailored for adults with disabilities.

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The curriculum includes units on prayer, holidays, Shabbat, and rituals, designed to be accessible while maintaining the integrity of advanced Jewish learning. Rabbi Morey Schwartz, the international director of Melton, emphasizes that inclusion must extend beyond physical accessibility, advocating for engaging educational materials that inspire participation. The program employs open-ended questions, original texts, and group discussions, ensuring that students can relate the material to their own lives.

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The curriculum is currently being piloted in four cities, including Boca Raton, and has expanded to nine locations, including Cape Town, South Africa. Each module consists of three lessons, with flexibility for teachers to adapt the content based on their students' needs.

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In a recent class at JARC, teacher Harvey Leven guided students through the "Sacred Cycles" module, focusing on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Leven noted the importance of modifying lesson plans to accommodate varying learning styles, as some students may require additional support to grasp complex concepts. While the curriculum aims to be inclusive, challenges remain, particularly for students with limited mobility or those who thrive in one-on-one settings.

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Alissa Korn, whose daughter Jillian has intellectual disabilities, shared her experience with the program in New Haven, Connecticut. Although the group setting posed challenges for Jillian, Korn appreciates the program's value in empowering individuals with disabilities and fostering community involvement.

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The introduction of the "What’s Mine is Yours" curriculum reflects a growing recognition within the Jewish community of the need for inclusive educational opportunities. Erica Baruch, an adviser at Jewish Family Service of Colorado, highlighted that offering such programs alleviates the burden on families who may hesitate to advocate for their loved ones' educational needs.

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• “Inclusion can’t just be about ramps. It has to be about giving them inspiration, education, engaging, thought-provoking materials that can give them also the ability to participate fully to the extent that they can to the enterprise of Jewish learning. It can’t be like some watered-down version of something else. That’s not what we’re doing.” — Rabbi Morey Schwartz, International Director of Melton

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• “It doesn’t necessarily need to be the perfect match for my daughter,” — Alissa Korn, Advocate

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• “Learning it was hard for me, and I didn’t want to do it, but I took my time and learned well, and I still remember it, and I’m still Jewish throughout this day.” — Raffi Stein-Klotz, Student

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Raffi Stein-Klotz, a participant in the program, reflects on the positive impact of the curriculum on his learning and social interactions. He appreciates the opportunity to connect with peers and assist classmates in their educational journeys. The "What’s Mine is Yours" initiative represents a significant step toward creating a more inclusive Jewish community, fostering both learning and connection among adults with disabilities.

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