A Torah of Inclusive Effort – Making Jewish Spaces more Accesible

Disability inclusion in Jewish spaces shouldn’t be a seasonal topic. It shouldn’t be just a Shabbat in February or a few bullet points on a synagogue website. It should be a fundamental expression of our values, rooted in Torah and brought to life in practice.

The Author When She Was 6

As someone who is both proudly Jewish and part of the disability community, I’ve seen firsthand how well-meaning communities often miss the mark. It’s rarely about bad intentions. It’s about a lack of follow-through. Inclusion isn’t a mitzvah we check off a list; it’s an ongoing commitment that requires effort—personal, communal, and institutional.

Judaism teaches us that every person is created b’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God. This isn’t just a theological idea. It’s a radical call to action: to treat each person with dignity, to ensure access to Torah, to center voices that are too often left on the margins.

So how do we move from theory to action?

1. Listen to disabled Jews—then act on what you hear.

It starts here. Synagogues, schools, and organizations must invite disabled members into real conversations—not just panels or inspiration moments. Invite feedback and be ready to implement it. Accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not work for another. Ask questions to your peers and friends.

2. Go beyond physical access.

A ramp is a start, but never the finish line. We need to ask: Is our programming neurodiverse-friendly? Are we providing materials in plain language or offering breaks for those who experience sensory overload? Are we training our staff and volunteers in disability etiquette and awareness? Inclusion isn’t a vibe—it’s a structure.

3. Make Jewish learning accessible.

Jewish education has the power to connect us to our heritage and community. But too many Jews with disabilities are excluded from Jewish schools, camps, meaningful Torah learning. Let’s invest in educators who can adapt curriculum and teach in inclusive ways. Let’s offer quiet rooms, small-group learning, captioning, and flexible attendance for those who need it.

4. Stop confusing inspiration with representation.

When disabled Jews are included, we don’t want to be seen only as stories of overcoming adversity. We want to be seen as whole people—with talents, ideas, leadership, and flaws like everyone else. Don’t tokenize us. Hire us. Include us. Elevate us.

A Torah of Effort

Our tradition doesn’t shy away from effort. We are commanded to build inclusive spaces—physically (makom) and spiritually (kedusha) and academically. Include Jews who don’t have degrees but immerse themselves by informal learning. In Parashat Kedoshim, we are told “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” That verse is about more than literal interpretation. It’s about creating environments where everyone can thrive.

True inclusion means we’re willing to do the work, even when it’s inconvenient. It means budgeting for accessibility, hiring disabled staff, redesigning programs, and reimagining what community can look like.

We don’t get there overnight—but we do get there together.

Let’s stop asking whether we’re doing enough to include disabled Jews and start asking what we’ll do differently next week, next month, next year. Autistic Jews are becoming more reserved to the Jewish community, especially after October 7.

The Author At Her Bat Mitzvah, 2016

Because putting in the effort is the very definition of a holy community.