February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), a unified effort among Jewish organizations to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions. This year, Jewish Family Service will host two events celebrating inclusion.
PJ Library Learns about Inclusion
This Zoom program offered in partnership with PJ Library from 2 to 3 p.m. on February 12 is geared toward teaching young children the meaning of inclusion. Of course, there will be a PJ Library story. Closed-captioning will be provided. Contact Amanda Thomas at amthomas@jfslv.org to request additional accommodations. Admittance is free.
‘Bigger Than Us’ Screening, Q&A with Filmmaker
JFSLV is partnering for this February 16 event with ReelAbilities Film Festival New York, the largest festival in the country dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities.
Founded in New York City in 2007, the festival presents international and award-winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout each hosting city.
“Bigger Than Us” is a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of “Best Summer Ever,” the world’s first-ever Studio Actors Guild-registered feature film made by a majority disabled cast and crew.
Participants in the 7:30-8:30 p.m. Zoom program will watch the 16-minute documentary followed by a 40-minute Q&A with the filmmaker. The discussion will explore and celebrate inclusion.
Maya Albanese directed the film, with cinematography by Turner Jumonville and Maya Albanese. Audio descriptions of the scenes and closed-captioning will be provided.
Attendance is free. Register here.