February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions and those who love them.
Each week this month, we will share with you a feature about how Stephen Wise Temple and Schools have put those values into action as we strive to become an even more inclusive, welcoming, and accepting community for all.
Wise School Students Learn From Israel ParaSport Center Athletes
by Madeline D., Social Action Tikkun Olam Vice President and
Kaitlyn N., Sixth Grade Student Council President
In December, our Wise School Sixth Grade Student Council had the opportunity to meet with the athletes from the Israel ParaSport Center and it was one of the most inspiring experiences we have had here at Wise School.
It was a true privilege to spend time with them and learn about what obstacles they have overcome as a result of their disabilities. It is important for everyone—especially the youth—to understand that although we all have physical differences, at the end of the day we are all human beings, and we are one family.
Later in the day, each of our grade levels were able to hear from the athletes. Below are some of our first graders’ thoughts about the visit:
“I felt lucky that I got to meet the Israeli athletes who came to my school. They showed me that everybody is different, and everybody is special.” —Jade P.
“I learned that the Israeli athletes who are in wheelchairs are not different than us. They just use their wheels to get around.” —Jonathan F.
“I liked meeting the Israeli athletes because they taught me, we are all special in different ways.” —Emma A.