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Recipient of the 2014 Ruderman Prize in Inclusion
Mission:
- Works to foster a community that includes all individuals
- Advocates for disability services that advance inclusion
- Strives to eliminate the stigma associated with disabilities
- Encourages community support and participation to create and sustain new and existing disability services
Methods:
- Delivers educational programs designed to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and embrace diversity
- Provides support to leading experts dedicated to advancing our goals
- Convenes policy makers, service providers and community leaders to develop plans to further the provision of disability services
- Collaborates with local, national, and international partners to leverage our mission for optimal impact
For any information on Alexander Institute for Inclusion contact
Rachel Davis at rdavis@jfshouston.org or 713.667.9336 x209.
Recent Programs
Programming Host City Organizer for
For more information go to: www.disabilitiesfilmfestival.org
Ongoing Programs
- 2014 ReelStories.
- A New Bibliography. A list of books written by individuals with disabilities or their family members is in ongoing formation. To learn more, go to:
http://www.disabilitiesfilmfestival.org/pdfs/ReelStoriesBibliography_022014.pdf - High Schools in the Houston area can apply for donations of selected books from the bibliography and arrange for authors to speak at their schools. To submit new title for the bibliography or to arrange for a high school program, please contact Rachel Davis at rdavis@jfshouston.org
- A New Bibliography. A list of books written by individuals with disabilities or their family members is in ongoing formation. To learn more, go to:
- 2014 ReelWorkPlace
- Andrews Kurth LLP has taken the lead in organizing a special opportunity for both attorneys and all other employees in law firms throughout the city who interact with clients and other employees who have disabilities. One hour CLE workshops present the legal, ethical and etiquette related to disabilities in the workplace. For more information contact Rachel Davis at radavis@jfshouston.org
- Positive Exposure Houston
- Thirty seven families brought their children with genetic or other differences to a photo shoot with famed fashion photographer Rick Guidotti. The resulting exhibition redefines beauty and spirit and is available for exhibition. A partnership of JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion, Positive Exposure, The Nicole Longnecker Gallery and the Baylor Genetic Outreach Group, the exhibition was featured in the Houston Chronicle. To learn more about having this exhibition at your site, contact Rachel Davis at rdavis@jfshouston.org
- Read the Houston Chronicle article below:
Page 1
Page 2
- Coalition of Related Agencies
- 2007 – Present
- Meets as necessary
- Coalition of Direct Service Providers
- 2011 – Present
- Executive level representation from every Jewish organization in Houston that provides services to individuals with disabilities.
- Group of Jewish Communal Professionals in Houston who meet on a quarterly basis to coordinate calendars, share program updates, look for opportunities to collaborate and cross training.
- Inclusion Committee Consultation
- 2010 – Present
- Provide on-going consultation to any area synagogue or Jewish organization that wants to implement an inclusion committee.
Past Programs
Speakers
- Rabbi Bradley Artson
- 2008, 2009
- Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer
- 2008
- Jeffrey Lichtman
- 2008, 2009
- www.njcd.org
- Shelly Christensen
- 2010 Recipient of the Bettie and Bernard Farfel Award
- 2011 – Yom Limmud presenter and consultation
- www.jfcsmpls.org
- www.inclusiontoinnovation.com
- Rabbi Lynn Landsberg
- 2012
- ReelAblities Film Discussions
Arts
- Praying with Lior
- 2008
- Sponsorship of Showing at ERJCC
- Facilitated Post Screening Conversation
- www.prayingwithlior.com
- Wretches & Jabberers
- 2010
- Sponsorship of showing at BBYO Regional Convention
- Post screening conversation with Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette
- www.wretchesandjabberers.org
- Deaf Jam
- 2012
- Sponsorship at ERJCC Film Festival
- www.deafjam.org
- Dolphin Boy
- 2012
- Sponsorship at ERJCC Film Festival
- Facilitated post screening conversation
- Dolphinboyfilm.com
- Beyond the Boundaries
- 2012
- Sponsorship at ERJCC Film Festival
- ski-to-live.com/the-premire-beyond-the-boundaries
- The Flood
- 2012
- Sponsorship at ERJCC Film Festival
- www.k5film.com/films/mabul-the-flood
Community
- Sponsor "J" Serve
- 2010
- Yom Limmud, 2008
- Dr. Ruth Strudler & Karol Musher
- Enabling Success for Your Child with Learning Disabilities
- JFS Alexander Institute Display & Information table
- Project Shalom – handmade gifts
- JFS sponsored supportive classroom and closed captioning
- Yom Limmud, 2009
- Naomi Duke, CFP
- Special Needs Call for Special Planning
- JFS Alexander Institute Display & Information table
- Project Shalom – handmade gifts
- JFS sponsored supportive classroom and closed captioning
- Yom Limmud, 2010
- JFS Alexander Institute Display & Information table
- Project Shalom – handmade gifts
- JFS sponsored supportive classroom and closed captioning
- Yom Limmud, 2011
- Shelly Christensen
- Journey of Hope
- The Tachlis of Inclusion: Moving from Invisibility to Visibly IN
- Inclusion Consultation
- Even Moses Needed a Voice: Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk
- JFS Alexander Institute Display & Information table
- Project Shalom and Celebration Company handmade gifts
- JFS sponsored supportive classroom and closed captioning
- Yom Limmud, 2012
- JFS Information Table
- Project Shalom and Celebration Company handmade gifts
- JFS sponsored supportive classroom and closed captioning
- Collage
- Provided closed captioning 2009, 2010, 2011
- ERJCC Jewish Books and Art Fair
- Provided closed captioning 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- In 2011 ERJCC signed a memorandum of understanding with JFS that will require the ERJCC to cover the full cost of closed captioning within a 3 year period.
- Project Now
- 2009, 2010
- Jewish Family Service supported a consultant for Project NOW, a program of the Bureau of Jewish Education that was developed to help assess the overall needs of the early childhood classroom. The BJE provided an educational specialist to each of the 10 early childhood programs.
- Yad B Yad
- 2009
- Jewish Family Service supported the professional for Yad B Yad, an afterschool inclusion program at the Robert M. Beren Academy. The pilot program was in response to families looking for a Jewish day school experience for their child with disabilities. The goal was to provide Jewish children with an hour and a half of Jewish programming within the warmth of a Day School mainstreaming setting.
- Club Haver
- 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Jewish Family Service supported the staffing needs of Club Haver
- Club Haver was created to provide a social group experience for school aged children with disabilities. Monthly activities were held at the JCC and included things such as: concerts, Family Hanukkah Festival, Purim crafts, Friendship Circle Passover Celebration and Yom Haatzmaut, Bingo Bonanza and a Mad Science Event.
Updated April 2012
