The Jewish Disability Empowerment Center (Yad HaChazakah-JDEC)

11/14/2023

Accessibility provisions for the DC Rally. [SCROLL DOWN ON WEBPAGE] I on behalf of Yad HaChazakah worked on advocating for them to the JFNA in partnership with Jennifer Lazio Mizrachi. Thank you JFNA! Good job in planning.

General Questions What is the duration/timing of the march? The program begins at 1:00pm. Doors open at 10:00am to allow people to enter the area and get through security. The pre-program event begins at 11:30am. We expect the entire program to be over by 3:00pm. Should we begin booking hotel accomm...

05/21/2023

Father records video of rabbi dismissing his 10-year-old son, saying, 'With a child like that, you are not praying'; rights group says incident violates anti-discrimination laws

03/08/2023

NYSILC is Saddened by the Passing of Judy Heumann

The New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC) is saddened by the recent passing of disability rights activist and leader Judith “Judy” Heumann. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, her advocacy provided a path for so many others to follow. In 2022, Judy was inducted into the NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame, link to bio: https://nysilc.org/inductees/32-2022/237-judith-heumann. In her HOF acceptance speech, Judy’s genuine appreciation and motivational message is empowering: https://youtu.be/95gVAwrVv2s.

We can best show our gratitude to Judy by leading, taking action, and doing our parts to move IL and disability rights forward.

03/08/2023

Memorial Service for PIVOTAL Disability activist, Judith Heumann NOW.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, March 8 at 10am at Adas Israel Congregation in Kay Hall, or livestreamed below, followed by burial at Judean Memorial Gardens.

03/29/2022

Yad HaChazakah mourns the untimely passing of our beloved chairperson and tireless disability activist Sheryl Grossman z"l , may her memory be a blessing and her legacy carry on. Obituary and funeral information in link below. Funeral will be live streamed at noon today. Rest in Power Sheryl.

Share Memories of Sheryl & Support the Grossman Family

07/18/2021

COMMUNICATION ACCESS TO THE OU's
TISHA B'AV MORNING WEBCAST

We received word that the Orthodox Union is presenting this year's
famous world-wide Tisha B’Av morning event with captions and
American Sign Language! We encourage watching the webcast with these provisions as an act of unity in accessibility.

Yad HaChazakah thanks Avrohom Adler, International Director of
Yachad, for moving this initiative within the OU; Yael Zelinger,
Education Associate from the Center for Jewish Education in Baltimore for providing her expertise and helpful knowledge; our partnering advocates; and the Orthodox Union's new and veteran
leadership and project team members for making their renowned Tisha B'Av day program more accessible.

May this be only one of an increasing number of Torah and Jewish
programs that are accessible to users of captions and American Sign Language. Click here www.ou.org/tishabav/ to register for the webcast.

We wish a meaningful fast to those who are able to fast. May the
communication access provided for Sunday morning's webcast serve to summon HaShem's rachamim [mercy] to turn this day of mourning into a day of pure joy.

Shoshana Shapiro-Lacks
Executive Director,
Yad HaChazakah-The Jewish Disability Empowerment Center

This Tisha B’Av, gain inspiration from OU's two renowned rabbis, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Rabbi Menachem Nissel and Rabbi Steven Weil as they deepen our understanding of the day and Kinot.

07/14/2021

PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO-We are proud that Shirley Pinto Kadosh represents us in the Knesset! https://fb.watch/v/eIYrVoZ0L/