So often “inclusion” is framed as a mechanism for bringing people to the table who haven’t been at the table. Jewish Theological Seminary Rabbinical student Lauren Tuchman explores whether this is the most accurate and useful framing. Does Judaism perhaps offer us other more radical ways to think about inclusion and disability?
Lauren raises this question in a powerful new ELI Talk :
After you watch, please share any questions or responses for Lauren in the comments below. This week, New Normal editor Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer will talk with Lauren about her vision of inclusion and how the Jewish community can shift our understanding of disability.
Lauren was recognized as one of last year’s “36 Under 36” amazing young leaders who are changing the world. In her profile, she shared that “I’ve been the only person with a disability in Jewish spaces many times before…There has been some progress made in terms of physical access — though not nearly enough. I’m interested in advocating for access in a holistic sense. How can we work to shift assumptions around inclusion being only about providing accommodations such as ramps and Braille siddurim, when inclusion is far broader than that?”
