Jewish Disabilities Advocates

The JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates program was created to raise awareness and further inclusion of people with disabilities within Jewish organizations and the larger Jewish community. Jewish Disabilities Advocates (JDA) consists of two complementary initiatives that serve individuals and organizations.

Jewish Disabilities Advocates 2024 Theme: Circles of Support

This Hannukah handout provides suggestions on how to "Be a Shamash" and bring light to individuals with disabilities. The handout also includes tips for hosting an accessible Hanukkah gathering and a "Be a Shamash" craft for kids. 

This handout describes how our Jewish organizations can become a strong Circle of Support for individuals with disabilities and caregivers. 

This High Holy Days handout provides guiding questions to reflect on the support we would like in the new year, as well as the support we might offer or seek within our Jewish communities. 

This Purim Handout describes how communities can create a brave space for members to reveal challenges, how to make asking for support a community norm, and how to organize ways to offer support. A Purim Matching Game allows children and families to explore similar ideas.

This Passover handout encourages us to create caring and supportive spaces so that individuals with disabilities and caregivers have the freedom to enter community as their authentic selves. It also provides several suggestions for hosting an accessible Passover Seder. 

The JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates Collaborative was thrilled to welcome Rabbi Julia Watts Belser as we kicked off Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) on February 1. View the recording of our discussion with Rabbi Belser and breakout sessions about accessibility, community care, and advocacy.

Adult and Family Bookmarks offer specific suggestions for supporting individuals with disabilities and caregivers. 

JDAIM Community Learning Evening

With Emily Ladau, Thursday, February 6 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. on Zoom. ASL and closed captioning provided.
Join the JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates as we learn with Emily Ladau about demystifying disability and advocating for accessibility and accommodations in Jewish spaces. Learn more about the event.

JDA Haverim and Best Buddies

JDA Haverim is a group of adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) that connect with each other and with the Jewish community. Jewish Family Service Best Buddies chapter matches Jewish adults with and without IDD in one-to-one friendships that develop and are sustained over many years.

JDA Collaborative and Partner Organizations

The JDA Collaborative works to improve inclusion and belonging of people with disabilities at the organizational level and across the Denver metro area Jewish community. Denver and Boulder synagogues, Jewish communal agencies, and other faith-based organizations collaborate to ensure Jews with a broad range of disabilities and their families can participate in rich Jewish life and culture. 

Support Groups

Mental Health Jewish Spiritual Support Group

This group seeks to provide a compassionate space for connection and learning for those experiencing mental health challenges and their loved ones. Group will meet monthly on Zoom from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Advanced registration needed. 

Chronic Health Conditions Support Group

We seek to foster connection and community among those experiencing chronic health conditions, pain, and disability. Group meets monthly on Zoom from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates creates resources throughout the year to raise awareness and understanding of a variety of disabilities and how the Jewish community can engage and support individuals with disabilities and their families. Our resources follow our area of focus for the year.