One of the blessings—and adventures—of hanging out with young children is that they do not necessarily have the same societal “filters” as most adults. Sometimes, that means that they will say exactly what they are thinking, or what they are noticing. Why—they will ask—is that person in a wheelchair? Why—they might ask—is that person walking with a cane? Why—they might ask—is that person flapping their arms like that? Often, I think our first instinct is to shut down the conversation, or to tell our children it is not polite to point or ask. I have, however, heard time and again from disability activists—and try to model for my children—that it is okay to ask, and even better to explain that bodies are different, and so are brains. In fact, our tradition recognized that centuries ago; there is a blessing meant to be said upon seeing someone with a (visible) disability. [...]

Two days ago, the words of Parashat Terumah were chanted in synagogues around the world. This portion—which introduces the project of building the Tabernacle—opens with the following instruction: דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיִקְחוּ־לִ֖י תְּרוּמָ֑ה מֵאֵ֤ת כׇּל־אִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ לִבּ֔וֹ תִּקְח֖וּ אֶת־תְּרוּמָתִֽי׃ Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves them. While perhaps the verse that has launched a million fundraising campaigns, there is also a powerful teaching for this Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. Shelly Christensen, the author of "Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities," writes: “Everyone has gifts to share as well as needs for comfort and community. Inclusion is the opportunity for every person to participate in meaningful ways in the life of the Jewish community.” Unlike other campaigns in the Torah which are obligatory, or reserved for certain ages and abilities, this project—the [...]