The Purpose Behind JDAIM

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

Madeleine Elkins & Harvey Wallace

2025 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Madeleine and Harvey have been cherished members of Congregation Shaare Emeth since 1996. Shortly after their wedding, they began “shul shopping” and quickly found a spiritual home at Shaare Emeth—a community whose warmth and values resonated deeply with them. Since then, they have become pillars of both the congregation and the broader St. Louis community.

Madeleine Elkins built a distinguished 45-year career in the corporate world, with leadership roles in medical supply distribution and law firm financial management. Alongside her professional accomplishments, Madeleine has always made time for meaningful volunteer work. She served on the board of the St. Louis Breast Cancer Coalition and was part of the organizing committee for the JCC Senior Olympics in its early years. Her dedication to Jewish community life is evident in her service on various committees for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, including co-chairing the 2017 L’Chaim Event. In 2022, she and Harvey co-chaired the JCC’s J’la gala, raising vital funds for scholarships. At Shaare Emeth, Madeleine is a compassionate member of the Caring Committee, and in 2025, she joined the board of the American Jewish Committee, continuing her lifelong commitment to advocacy and service.

Harvey Wallace is a trailblazer in the accounting world and a passionate community leader. In 1973, he co-founded Brown Smith Wallace, a firm that grew to become the 77th largest CPA firm in the United States, with 340 team members at the time of its 2021 merger with Armanino LLP. He now brings his expertise to Private Fiduciary Solutions. Harvey’s professional success is matched by his extraordinary record of community service. He has held leadership roles on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation of St. Louis (where he served as Chairman from 2015 to 2017), Jewish Family Services, The Magic House (Chairman, 2013–2014), Wyman Center, and the Chancellor’s Council at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. His civic engagement also includes board service with the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the St. Louis Community Foundation, and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center. Harvey has been a dedicated member of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer and was honored with the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Public Service Award.

Madeleine and Harvey are blessed with two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad & Elizabeth Wallace and David & Melissa Wallace, and four grandchildren Emma (23), Katie (19), Miriam (13), and Aaron (11).

Together, Madeleine and Harvey exemplify the spirit of generosity, leadership, and compassion. Their decades of service have touched countless lives and strengthened the fabric of our community. We are proud to honor them with the 2025 Harris Frank Community Service Award.