The Purpose Behind JDAIM

The Purpose Behind JDAIM 

By Amy R Weinstein (Shapiro)  

 

blue and gold text that reads JDAIM February 15th Anniversary Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, & Inclusion Month with a star of David shaped from blue and gold ribbonCantor Seth Warner recently delivered a sermon explaining that “Jews are taught to ask questions.” In that spirit, some of you might be asking what is JDAIM? And why does JDAIM play such an important role within Judaism? As a member of the Congregation Shaare Emeth community who feels passionately about this topic, it’s my honor have been asked to help answer these questions.  

Jewish Disability Awareness/Acceptance Inclusion Month (JDAIM) takes place every February to celebrate inclusion for individuals who have disabilities and mental health conditions. JDAIM was founded by Shelly Christensen in 2009 in Minneapolis. “Shelly and her colleagues felt that 20% of the Jewish population with disabilities did not feel included within their community!” (Jewfolk, 2021) JDAIM includes programs and events nationwide where professionals, families, friends, and colleagues come together to educate, advocate, raise awareness, and provide opportunities for inclusion. JDAIM takes place in February because there are no Jewish holidays! The mission to provide opportunities for inclusion does not stop once February is over – JDAIM is intended to be a call to action where people honor the gifts and strengths that all people possess and feel seen and heard. 

Congregation Shaare Emeth’s JDAIM Shabbat on Friday, February 16 will feature Charlie Kramer, a disability life coach, speaker, and musician. Charlie helps people with special needs ‘learn to not only accept their disability, but provide them with the tools to love being disabled, and fully integrate it as a strength in their life.’ (Kramer) In addition to sharing his musical talents during the service, Charlie will be the evening’s speaker, delivering the JDAIM Shabbat sermon. Charlie gives people a perspective they might not have thought about, identifying the positive, life-changing opportunities that can happen regardless of a diagnosis of a disability, and promotes accepting and living with a disability, and thriving. Audiences of Charlie’s dynamic presentations leave with opened minds and a clearer understanding and awareness of ableism. 

As Jewish people, we have an obligation to open spaces throughout our community so that everybody feels included. All people want is to feel accepted, seen, and heard. It is crucial to break the barriers of fears that people have behind the word ‘disability’ so that everybody feels safe. People with disabilities are everywhere and it is important to break the stigma of disability so that those who are young and/or elderly do not feel fearful to stand out to embrace who they are because “Fears are when you are alone…” (Warner, 2023). When you choose to be involved within your Jewish community, you are not alone. There is nothing to fear when you want to find somewhere to feel accepted, inspired, and loved.  

Anne Frank once said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” We can all start improving the world now by recognizing the abilities of those who have disabilities. It’s important to provide opportunities that involve Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion to support ALL of our community and embrace and celebrate the fact that everybody is different.  

More information about Congregation Shaare Emeth’s JDAIM Shabbat can be found here >

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ABOUT

Debbie & Mike Lefton

2024 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Debbie and Michael Lefton have been dedicated members of the Shaare Emeth community and the broader St. Louis Jewish community for many years, contributing their time and talents in numerous ways.

Debbie has been a member of Shaare Emeth since the 5th grade, attending Sunday School and confirmation. Debbie and Mike have been married for 27 years and became family members of  Shaare Emeth in 1996. Their children Sydney, and Jacob, both attend Shirlee Green Preschool, celebrated their b’not mitzvah, and attended Shaare Emeth Camps. Debbie and Mike have been actively involved in various committees at Shaare Emeth throughout the years; Debbie serving as the President of the Shirlee Green Preschool and Mike serving on the Board of Trustees and the Operating Committee for 12 years including President of our congregation.

Their commitment to education and community service extends beyond Shaare Emeth. They are true examples of community service heroes. In 2019 the Lefton Family received the American Jewish Committee Netzach Award and in 2022, Debbie and Mike were honored with the JProStL Community Leader Partnership Award.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life Services, she worked as a Child Life Specialist at Wyler Children’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for 12 years. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services from Washington University.

At the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Debbie has chaired several committees, including the Children’s Activity Center, the Camp Sabra Alumni Committee, and the Mission Task Force Committee. She has also co-chaired the Jewish Book Festival Women’s Event, the St. Louis Maccabi Games Closing Ceremonies and has served on the  J Associates Board for 16 years, completing a term as President in 2022. Currently, Debbie serves as an Officer on the Executive Committee at the JCC and is Co-Chairing the Fox Building Capital Campaign. Debbie received the St. Louis Jewish Community Center Richard S. Weiss Past Presidents Award in 2018.

Debbie’s involvement in the St. Louis Jewish Federation includes serving on the Board of CAJE and Women’s Philanthropy and recently began an 8-year term on the National Jewish Federations Women’s Philanthropy Board. Debbie served on the Camp Rainbow Board of Directors and 28 years. Currently, Debbie is a board member of The St. Louis Jewish Light and The St. Louis Children’s Hospital Friends Board.  Debbie received the MAC Women of Distinction honor in 2023.

Michael holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Michael began his career with Metal Exchange in 1984 and now serves as Executive Chairman. Under his leadership, Metal Exchange has grown into a global enterprise with a strong international presence, including offices in Zurich and Shanghai. The company’s diverse operations include manufacturing, marketing, trading, metal processing, distribution, and transportation of nonferrous metals.

Mike’s commitment to community service is evident through his current roles as Board President of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and Regional President of the American Jewish Committee – St. Louis. Mike served as President of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer for seven years and is Immediate Past President. Mike received the Presidential Citation Award from Variety the Children’s Charity international in 2019.

Additionally, Mike currently serves on several boards, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, National Council of Jewish Women Advisory Council, Jewish Federation Professional Society Leadership Advisory Council, and Heat-Up/Cool Down St. Louis.

Debbie and Mike reside in St. Louis and are the proud parents of two adult children, Sydney 26, who lives in Tel Aviv, and Jacob 24, who resides in Cincinnati. The Lefton family are avid hockey fans, enjoy theatre, traveling and spending time in Colorado.

The Shaare Emeth community is honored to celebrate Debbie and Michael Lefton for their unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to our community and beyond.