Inclusion

In concert with our ongoing Inclusion efforts, Park Avenue Synagogue has embarked upon a historic partnership with Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the Shireinu network for families with special needs. Join Rabbi Ben and Louie of CRS and Neil Zuckerman of PAS for Shireinu services throughout the year!

Past Shireinu Serivces
The social story for our past Shabbat Shireinu service can be found here and the playlist can be found here.
The preparation materials for our past Hanukkah Shireinu service can be found here. 
The preparation materials for our past Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Shireinu service can be found here. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SHIREINU

We are pleased to announce that all PAS Zoom accounts are closed-captioning enabled. To use this feature, simply to turn on the Live Transcript function on your account.

Participants can navigate these options on the bottom of their Zoom window. Click “Live Transcript,” then “Show Subtitle.”

As this is an automated feature and not something facilitated via operator, Zoom recommends the following:

• Use an external microphone for clarity.
• Speak clearly and slowly.
• If there is an auxiliary noise in your environment (sirens, loud appliances, other people, etc.) please relocate or wait until the sound is no longer present.

Goals:

• Enable all PAS members to participate in existing programming, worship, education, and social events
• Create new programs and networks that address the specific needs of individuals, their families, and their caregivers
• Expand the opportunities for engagement and accessibility
• Ensure our facilities and rituals are accessible to all
• Raise awareness of inclusion challenges in the entire PAS community (clergy, lay leaders, congregants,and staff)
• Foster collaboration in addressing the issues of inclusion and growing sensitivity and establishing open lines of communication

Current efforts to address the needs of our congregation include:

• Educational and social supports in Penn Family Early Childhood Center, Congregational School, and the Youth and Teen programs
• Accessible entrances, seating, and hearing and vision enhancement in all synagogue spaces, including our sanctuary and classrooms
• Alternative spaces and programming to enable participation at synagogue-wide events such as the Purim Carnival, Simhat Torah Evening Celebration, and Mitzvah Day
• Programming during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month, held annually February, that highlights issues that affect PAS members

During 2020 and 2021, planning is underway to provide:

• Supported work environments for young adults with learning and other developmental disabilities
• Peer-to-peer efforts that enable the wider PAS community to meet and support one another, e.g., enhanced usher/greeter training, Food Pantry PALs, and the development of PALs programming in the YFE, Penn Family ECC, and Congregational School
• Website links to community resources, articles and events that emphasize inclusion
• Professionally facilitated training and support for clergy, lay leaders, congregants, and staff

If you would like to join the committee, please email Paul Donahue, PAS Inclusion Staff Liaison.

Here are additional resource links to sermons, lectures, podcasts, blogs, and other information.