We guide, train, and support Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching,
Matan envisions a world in which all Jewish communities are stronger and more vibrant because people with and without disabilities share meaningful experiences throughout their lives.
Operating as usual
In this month’s blog, Noah Brick talks about how not every day is a good and that’s okay.
https://matankids.org/not-every-day-is…y-and-thats-okay/
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Words: Words of Wisdom from… with photo of young man
MATAN We guide, train, and support Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
07/10/2023
Dori Frumin Kirshner and Meredith Polsky, Matan's Executive Director and Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships respectively, are proud to serve on the advisory board of Jewish Disability Inclusion News, a brand-new, free online publication focusing on all aspects of disability inclusion related to Jewish culture and life. Subscribe today!
Jewish Disability Inclusion News | JDIN | Substack Jewish Disability Inclusion News is a forum for diverse voices at the intersection of disability inclusion and Jewish life. Click to read Jewish Disability Inclusion News, by JDIN, a Substack publication. Launched 5 days ago.
07/06/2023
Kol Hakavod to the Etzim class at Temple Sinai Community David Pregerson Preschool in Oakland, CA. The three and four year old students learned about people with different abilities and then chose to donate their tzedakah to Matan. Students created cards in which they shared their thoughts regarding creating inclusive opportunities.
(Image: Blue background with quotes from children. There is a pile of small cards with children's drawings in bottom left corner)
07/04/2023
Happy Fourth of July from Matan!
(Image: hand holding an American flag with fireworks in the background)
06/30/2023
Travel delays and bad weather couldn't stop members of the Matan professional staff from coming together earlier this week in Newark for a retreat. The two days were full of thoughtful discussions and planning sessions (plus some time for fun!) as we continued to further our efforts to create inclusive opportunities within the Jewish community for people with disabilities.
(Image: five women sitting around a conference table with laptops and papers)
06/23/2023
Shabbat Shalom! This week, Michelle Steinhart and Marta Nemesh, inclusion specialists with Matan, presented professional development sessions for the staff at Westchester Summer Day. The sessions centered around understanding and engaging all campers and planning for success.
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Photo of adults seated at tables
Read the latest Words of Wisdom from Stephanie Kallish. She talks about her use of a Mood Tracker
https://matankids.org/daily-introspect…h-a-mood-tracker/
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Words: Words of Wisdom from… with photo of young woman
MATAN We guide, train, and support Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
06/19/2023
“Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.”
Learn more about Juneteenth here: https://www.juneteenth.com/history/
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Black background with scribbled heart in center with red/yellow/green. Words above heart in yellow, Monday, June 19; word over heart in white, Juneteenth; words below heart in green Freedom Day
06/02/2023
What a Night! Thank you for celebrating our Spring Event and our outstanding honorees this past Tuesday!
If you were unable to join us or if you want to relive the magic of Tuesday night, click below. I promise you will be stirred.
Leadership Award: Gail Heyman video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCa34EXUqII
Impact Award: Matan A. Koch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1byketQbpU
Trailblazer Award: Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bdbzK_PktU
There's still time to help us meet and exceed our goals, celebrate this year’s honorees and partner with us in the holy work of Matan. https://matanevent.org/
Shabbat Shalom!
Our honorees have had a huge impact! You can too, donate today https://matanevent.org/. Meet Trailblazer Award Honoree, Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple - Rabbi Bennett Miller and Rabbi Philip Bazeley.
Our honorees have had a huge impact! You can too, donate today https://matanevent.org/. Meet Impact Award Honoree, Matan Koch.
05/23/2023
Read Words of Wisdom from teens and young adults! Here is the latest from Rafi Josselson as he talks about supporting people on the Autism spectrum.
https://matankids.org/how-we-can-support-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/
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Words: Words of Wisdom from… with photo of young man
Our honorees have had a huge impact! You can too, donate today https://matanevent.org/. Meet Leadership Award Honoree, Gail Heyman.
05/18/2023
Meet Trailblazer Award Honoree Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, New Brunswick, NJ honoring the work of Rabbi Bennett Miller, Emeritus and Rabbi Philip Bazeley.
Most communities say they are warm, welcoming and inclusive - but once in a while, one stands out by truly demonstrating these qualities in everything they do. Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple (AEMT) is one of those places. Creating and fostering a community of belonging over several decades, AEMT is a trailblazer in synagogue inclusion. This is the legacy of AEMT - a legacy that began under the leadership of Rabbi Bennett Miller and is sustained by the continued efforts of Rabbi Philip Bazeley and everyone who calls AEMT their spiritual home.
For more information about Anshe Emeth, Rabbi Miller and Rabbi Bazeley, please visit our event page: https://matanevent.org
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Multicolor floral border with photo of outside of Anshe Emeth in center and photos of both rabbis below that
05/12/2023
"So maybe what is needed in situations of accessibility is a little more accountability." A brave, must-read of the ramifications of not being accountable. We have to do better. Shabbat Shalom.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-waste-of-an-outfit/?fbclid=IwAR3jZmJ3e_FCw6g32vE4cldoADJxdTDXQan7bKR8iJLFriORBDUDqAM6LYQ
A waste of an outfit Having a key to an elevator somewhere in the synagogue building does not make the building handicapped accessible
05/10/2023
Meet Impact Award Honoree Matan Koch ! If you know Matan, you undoubtedly can list many reasons why he would be receiving our Impact Award (and his sharing our name is not one of them!). Matan's lifelong history of advocacy, fighting stigma and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities has had a tremendous impact on the Jewish community - and beyond. Check out our event page to learn more about Matan (the person... and the organization)!
https://matanevent.org
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Multicolor floral border with photo of Matan Koch in center
05/02/2023
Meet Leadership Award Honoree Gail Heyman, a tireless advocate for disabilities within the Atlanta Jewish community and beyond! Check out our event page to learn more about why Gail is so deserving of this award. https://matanevent.org
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Multicolor floral border with photo of Gail Heyman in center
04/25/2023
Cohort 13 is learning with Amanda Morin, Author and Consultant, MATAN Advisory Board member/speaker/author.
04/17/2023
Rafi Josselson was our webinar guest for . He spoke about what he would like his educators to know about him as an autistic student. Couldn't join us? Here’s the recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCU4u2LJKNk&t=7s
Presentation slides are available here:https://matankids.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/matan-webinar-02.27.23.pdf
Matan Webinar- What I Would Want My Jewish Educator to Know as an Autistic Student MATAN WEBINAR (02/27/23): "What I Would Want My Jewish Educator to Know as an Autistic Student" hosted by Rafi JosselsonOur Webinar features Rafi Jo...
04/10/2023
Matan is hiring! Be part of a fantastic team that strives to create a more inclusive Jewish community. As Matan's first full-time Marketing and Communications Manager, you will have the opportunity to expand Matan's reach and impact. Accepting applications until May 5.
https://www.jewishjobs.com/job/s4mrmw/marketing-and-communications-manager/remote/-/united-states
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White background with torn paper revealing green background and white words that say We are Hiring
04/05/2023
Happy Passover!
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Teal background, white words that say Happy Passover; bottom left illustration of matzah, bottom right illustration of wine glasses and scattered flowers
04/03/2023
Have you seen LEGO’s new Lego Friends? Children want to see characters that look like them.
New Lego Sets Feature Characters With A Range Of Disabilities Lego is offering up a host of new characters with disabilities as part of a broader push for more diversity within its toy lineup.
03/31/2023
MATAN was proud to present virtually in a 2-part series with Congregation Beth Tikvah as they pursue a congregation-wide approach to inclusivity! We loved working with you!
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Brightly colored office supplies around three post its (in shape of speech bubble) that say Equality Inclusion Diversity
03/28/2023
Passover will be here before you know it! Check out our free online resources, including Passover Bingo, a Seder Visual Schedule, a Memory Game and a Seder Tracker to keep every participant engaged!
https://matankids.org/printable-resources/
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03/23/2023
Thank you to The Brotherhood Synagogue for inviting MATAN to present IN PERSON on the Top 10 Tips for an Inclusive Religious School Classroom! We loved working with your team!
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03/22/2023
Join us for our annual Spring Event on Tuesday, May 30, 2023
6:15PM - 8:30PM | NEW YORK CITY
Optional Watch Party at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple
Formal Invitation to follow
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Words Save the Date May 30, 2023 Matan Spring Event with floral border on all sides
03/20/2023
In or around DC? Make sure to register for the 10th Anniversary MCLive Comedy Show, co-sponsored by MATAN, TOMORROW, March 21st at 7:00pm at Edlavitch DCJCC
https://www.edcjcc.org/event/mc-live/
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Dark brick wall background with white words on left MC Live An Evening of Comedy Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00pm, Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW Washington, DC 20036 ASL Interpretation will be provided; Tickets are $18, Collaboration Sponsor $360*, Event Sponsor $500 *(includes special recognition during the event)
Must be 21+ to attend. Drinks and food will be provided.
03/16/2023
In or around DC? Make sure to register for the 10th Anniversary MCLive Comedy Show, co-sponsored by Matan, Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00pm at Edlavitch DCJCC
https://www.edcjcc.org/event/mc-live/
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Dark brick wall background with white words on left MC Live An Evening of Comedy Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00pm Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW Washington, DC 20036 ASL Interpretation will be provided; Tickets are $18, Collaboration Sponsor $360*, Event Sponsor $500 *(includes special recognition during the event)
Must be 21+ to attend. Drinks and food will be provided.
03/15/2023
The 13th Cohort of The Matan Institute for Education & Youth Directors has kicked off! This group is deeply committed to disability inclusion and we are so excited to help them reach their inclusion goals. Click here to learn more about these outstanding Jewish educators! https://matankids.org/cohort-13/
Park Avenue Synagogue Tiferet Bet Israel Talmud Torah of Minneapolis Congregation Beth Israel Har Zion Temple Adath Jeshurun Congregation Temple Emanuel Pascack Valley Kane Street Synagogue
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Photos of cohort members in circle frames in a circle with words Cohort 13, teal background
03/14/2023
Matan is hiring! Be part of a fantastic team that strives to create a more inclusive Jewish community. As Matan's first full-time Marketing and Communications Manager, you will have the opportunity to expand Matan's reach and impact. Accepting applications until May 5.
https://www.jewishjobs.com/job/s4mrmw/marketing-and-communications-manager/remote/-/united-states
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White background with torn paper revealing green background and white words that say We are Hiring
03/13/2023
It’s a week after Purim, so it must be time to get ready for Passover! Be on the lookout for more interactive, accessible and free lesson plans from Matan. Want to be the first to know when they’re available? Sign up to subscribe! https://matankids.org/ (subscribe is in the bottom right corner)
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03/09/2023
Purim may be over, but it’s still ADAR - the Hebrew month of JOY! In or around DC? Register today for the 10th Anniversary MCLive Comedy Show, co-sponsored by Matan, Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00pm at Edlavitch DCJCC
https://www.edcjcc.org/event/mc-live/
Image description
Dark brick wall background with white words on left MC Live An Evening of Comedy Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00pm Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW Washington, DC 20036 ASL Interpretation will be provided; Tickets are $18, Collaboration Sponsor $360*, Event Sponsor $500 *(includes special recognition during the event)
Must be 21+ to attend. Drinks and food will be provided.
03/07/2023
Words of Wisdom contributor Rafi Josselson shares his reflections upon the death of Judy Heumann: "The America she will be buried in will be more accessible, equitable and inclusive than the one she entered; due in no small part to her own accomplishments." https://matankids.org/reflecting-on-the-life-of-judy-heumann-zl/
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Photo of Judy Heumann
03/06/2023
Happy Purim!
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Words Happy Purim; background of light purple with assorted masks and stars
03/05/2023
Together with the rest of the world, we mourn the loss of Judy Heumann, the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement" who was instrumental in much of the legislation that redefined regulations and civil rights for individuals with disabilities. Judy was a force larger than life who never accepted the "status quo". She truly changed the world. It is incumbent upon us all not just to keep her legacy alive, but to continue her work towards full inclusion and acceptance. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to honor Judy at last year's Matan's annual event. She will be sorely missed. May her memory be for a blessing.
Image Description: Picture of Judy along with a link to Matan's award presentation and conversation with Judy on June 1, 2022.
Judy Heumann Interview and Award 06.01.22 Judy Heumann was a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of legislation, such ...
03/03/2023
Join RespectAbility for a virtual screening of "Cleft Hood," a new episode of DisneyJunior's hit series "Firebuds.” The episode premieres on March 10 & introduces Castor, a vehicle character born with a cleft hood.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 5:00 PM ET// 2:00 PM PT
Register here: https://rsvp.disneybrandedtvevents.com/_kjo9w
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Illustration of twov Disney vehicle characters, words You Are Invited to a Special Event, Tuesday, March 7 5:00 PM ET/ 2:00 PM PT
03/02/2023
Purim is almost here! Purim can be fun, but it is also a holiday full of potentially overwhelming sensory experiences. PREPARE yourself or your loved ones for the noisy, crowded moments that may arise so there are fewer surprises. AVOID situations that are so overstimulating that it’s hard to cope and recover. MINIMIZE sensory challenges by taking breaks, using earplugs/noise canceling headphones, or wearing a comfortable costume that allows you to hide just a little bit!
Here's a free picture story from Matan about Purim celebrations: https://matankids.org/resources/printable-resources-3/
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Illustration of face with hands over ears with music notes to left and noisemaker to right; words I Am Going to a Purim Celebration A Purim Celebration Story
Read Noah’s Words of Wisdom blog - he talks about being resilient in the face of a sudden change.
https://matankids.org/resiliency-the-capacity-to-recover-quickly-from-difficulties-toughness/
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Words: Words of Wisdom from… with photo of young man
MATAN We guide, train, and support Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
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