Celebrating JDAIM at the J

Each February, JCC Chicago, alongside Jewish organizations around the country celebrate JDAIM (Jewish Disability Acceptance Awareness and Inclusion Month). Though we at the J celebrate the achievements within the Disability community all year round, February is JDAIM is really at the intersection of multiple identities and all that comes with that. It is an additional opportunity to take a pause and focus our lens on the needs and areas of improvement in all spaces to ensure equitable physical and financial access, reasonable and consistent accommodation, and affirming language and practices.

Over the last four years, Our Inclusion Coordinator, Rena Rosen, has brought Disability Rights Activists from across the country into the fold of our community. While COVID took us fully into the virtual space, the benefit was our ability to not only connect with renowned presenters that were outside of Chicago, but also connect with JCC’s around state lines. Even as in-person programming came back in full, we continued to offer virtual options which engaged more community members from outside of our typical reach.

Says Rosen, “The list of programming and keynote speakers is one that I am incredibly grateful to have moderated and been a part of. We were joined by activists such as; Pamela Schuller, a comedian and presenter on her experiences living with Tourette Syndrome. Judy Heumann, world renowned Disability Rights Activist who was central to the movement. Emily Ladau, Author of Demystifying Disability and speaker. Sam Habib, Emmy Award winning Co-director of the New York Times Op-Doc, My Disability Roadmap. Most recently we had an incredible teenager, Gavi Engel- Yan who dedicated her Bat Mitzvah to highlighting the importance of full accessibility. We also have had virtual Adaptive Yoga with Melanie Waldman and a film talkback with artist Mara Clawson. In the last few years, we brought back a community fan favorite, Messy Day at the J, with a sensory friendly spin. Each person we have brought into the fold of JCC Chicago have been important thought leaders, it is vital that we learn from folks with lived experiences.”

This year we are privileged to welcome back ReelAbilities to Chicago powered by the J in March. This month, however, we will showcase a ReelAbilities film titled “Only I Can Hear”, a feature coming of age which follows three children of Deaf Adults (CODAs) as they grapple with their lived experiences. “This documentary asks what it means to exist between different cultures and how you can define your sense of identity” (ReelAbilities). We will be joined by a mother and daughter duo from the Chicagoland area who have their own experiences to share from the perspective of a Child of one Deaf Adult. After watching the film, we will hear how our speakers’ found similarities between their experiences and those in the feature, as well as where their stories differ.

We will also be bringing back sensory Messy Day for another spectacular year where your children will have the opportunity to explore with shaving cream, finger paint, face paint and so much more. It is important to us that we can meet the needs of all, and so, at Messy Day you will find activities that are high touch and low touch, plastic gloves and creative tools, noise cancelling headphones, fidgets and a quieter area, to ensure that our sensory seekers and sensory avoiders can find what works best for them.

Accessible, adaptive and inclusive practices and activities are meant to actively charge conversations, planning, and action all year round. We hope you will join us for one or both of our JDAIM offerings this year and we hope that it engages you further with the community.