Art, Judaism, Disability and Pride are all connected by Steven Mandel MDClinical professor of NeurologyHofstra NorthwellAdjunct Professor of MedicineNY Medical College There is “outsider art” also known as “art brut“, a connection with art and disability: July Disability Pride Month Art. Through activist communities and Jewish texts, The Religious Action Center has promoted disability and …
Pride and FJMC – One Mans Story of Resilience. by Steven Mandel MDClinical professor of NeurologyHofstra NorthwellAdjunct Professor of MedicineNY Medical College Dave is a Shabbat buddy, a friendly presence, who I would often see and spend time with on Shabbat. We sat together in Shul and kiddish for many years. It was the summer, …
Jewish Pride by Rabbi Noam Raucher, MA.EdExecutive Director, FJMC International Jewish pride begins with a simple but powerful truth: to be a Jew is to belong to a people, a story, and a way of life larger than ourselves. Jewish pride is gratitude, memory, responsibility, and courage. To be proud to call ourselves Jews is …
Modern Jewish Family by ChoiceJoining the TribeBy Bob Watts I am a convert, not a Jew by Choice. I put in the work. I didn’t flip a switch to be Jewish. I went through a change in family relationships, in practice, in community, and in adjusting to a different belief system. Because of that my …
A Story of Aging, Care, and Dignity By Steven Mandel MDHeidi Mandel PhD, DPM,LMSW “Caregiving is not just a task—it is sacred labor. It teaches patience. It forces humility. It exposes fragility. And sometimes, it unlocks unexpected spiritual growth.” D.S. came to the US with his parents in the 1930s. He worked in men’s haberdashery, …
Autism Spectrum DisorderBy Steven Mandel MD Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition defined by a persistent deficit in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. They must be present in early childhood, and it may result in clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, and in other important areas …
Autism: Lester’s Story My Story by Lester Shapiro Our son, now twenty-five years old, has long been diagnosed with autism in addition to intellectual disabilities. He is a beautiful and loving young adult with an amazing memory and a good sense of humor, be it in his own way. He has a keen interest in …
A Brief Introduction to Autism Spectrum DisorderBy Jacob Sheff, DO Autism is a behavioral disorder, and like all behavioral disorders, also known as psychiatric or mental health disorders, its description is in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Autism was first listed as a diagnosis on its own in …
“A Tale of Two Sisters” A story about Family, Inclusion and Diversity. “My wife and I have 2 adult daughters, Rachel, the older daughter, and Ariel. Rachel isneurotypical and high achieving. Ariel is neurodivergent – having developmental disabilities, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and is on the autismspectrum. I will first share Rachel’s life …
Inclusion: Reimagining Our Personal Responses to Communal Disruption By Rabbi Benay Lappe It was such a joy to join the FJMC International Convention earlier this month. I have beenreflecting on what an energizing, thoughtful, courageous group of leaders you are. For those of you who couldn’t be there in person, I hope you’ll take a moment to …
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