Accessibility and Disabilities
Creating a community where everyone can participate fully, comfortably, and with dignity.
Access to Judaism for everyone, and especially children with disabilities, has been a hallmark of Congregation Or Ami since Rabbi Paul Kipnes joined in our second year. The first commitment he put in place was simple: every child of a member who works to the best of their ability has the right to a Jewish education, and the right to become B'Mitzvah at Or Ami.
That commitment still shapes how we welcome families today. It looks like individualized B'Mitzvah training for children with disabilities, a support community for parents, large-print prayer books, and steady attention to the full range of needs across our congregation.
Many families raising children with disabilities or challenges struggle to find their place in Jewish life. At Or Ami, you are welcome exactly as you are. We are already proud to be the congregation that many individuals and families with disabilities call their own, and we'd love for you to share in the warmth of our community. Rabbis Paul Kipnes and Elana Rabishaw, and our whole Or Ami community, welcome you. We invite you to begin a conversation with Rabbi Kipnes about your family's hopes and questions at Or Ami.
You may be wondering about
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Services
Because you have been blessed with this child, we at Or Ami work to make sure the B'Mitzvah experience welcomes every member of your family. Your child will have a real B'Mitzvah service. Rabbis Paul Kipnes and Elana Rabishaw and our B'Mitzvah team work with each family to build an individualized learning process and a service that draws on your child's unique gifts. Your whole family takes part, from the ceremony of passing Torah down through the generations, to standing at the Torah during the aliyah, to the chance to bless your child. Our creativity lets your child shine during your simcha. We invite you to begin a conversation with Rabbi Kipnes about your family's questions about B'Mitzvah.
Support for Parents with Children with Disabilities
Programs bring parents together to share ideas, resources and support related to raising a child with disabilities. Supervised childcare provides you with peace of mind as your child is taken care of elsewhere in the synagogue. You can sit back, find support, gather resources, and enjoy the blessing of being part of a Jewish community that “gets it!” We invite you to begin a conversation with Michael Kaplan (parent of a child with disabilities, Or Ami past president and disabilities support program founder) to learn more.