Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more

ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 624

disability activists

Brandon Farbstein spending time on a Washington DC hiking trail in 2019. He dedicated his professional career to advocating on behalf of others who are disabled. (Courtesy)
July 19, 2023, 6:57 am
Disability advocate tours Israel on Segway as part of outdoor-focused Birthright trip
Author and public speaker Brandon Farbstein, who has a rare form of dwarfism, says there is ‘much room for improvement’ in Israel when it comes to accessibility for disabled people
By Charlie Summers
Judith Heumann speaking at a 504 protest. (HolLynn D'Lil)
March 7, 2023, 8:41 pm
Judy Heumann, Jewish American disability advocate who spurred a movement, dies at 75
The daughter of Holocaust survivors broke down barriers for kids and teachers in NYC schools, protested until federal legislation was passed, and advised multiple presidents
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Lily Brasch (right), who has muscular dystrophy, walks the runway at New York Fashion Week for the South Asian brand Randhawa, February 10, 2023. (Hilary Phelps via JTA)
February 15, 2023, 10:21 am
Orthodox model with muscular dystrophy makes history on NY Fashion Week runway
Lily Brasch becomes first person with condition to walk at a show, before dashing to nearby hotel to observe Sabbath
By julia GERGELY
PROMOTED CONTENT
Participants use a disability-accessible olive press at the Emek Hashalom Farm (Credit: Chet Stein Photography)
January 13, 2022, 8:26 pm
Leaving no one behind this Tu B’Shvat
LOTEM and JNF-USA’S Emek Hashalom “Valley of Peace” Sensory Path is making nature accessible for the disabled as they experience the majesty and beauty of Israel’s forests.
By Nathalie Cohen-Sheffer
From left: Amy Forsyth, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur in 'CODA.' (Courtesy Apple TV+)
August 12, 2021, 5:06 am
Deaf actress and activist Marlee Matlin on landing her ‘dream role’ in ‘CODA’
Poignant, funny, and devoid of artifice, the film, streaming on Apple TV+ from August 13, realistically portrays a family with deaf parents through a true-to-life cast
By Jordan Hoffman
Shirly Pinto, the first deaf Knesset member, is sworn in to the Knesset on June 16, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 30, 2021, 2:48 pm
Israel’s first deaf MK aims to be a full-time warrior for disability rights
Yamina lawmaker Shirly Pinto says she is devoting herself to ensuring that her hearing-impaired son will grow up in a different world than she did
By Amy Spiro
New Right heads Naftali Bennett (L) and Ayelet Shaked (R) with Knesset candidate deaf rights activist Shirley Pinto, January 8, 2019. (New Right)
June 16, 2021, 6:21 am
Knesset to receive 16 new MKs after ministers resign through ‘Norwegian law’
Despite panning previous government’s use of legislation as waste of public funds, parties of new coalition now argue that law ensures MKs, ministers able to fully focus on duties
By ToI Staff
New Right heads Naftali Bennett (L) and Ayelet Shaked (R) with Knesset candidate deaf rights activist Shirley Pinto, January 8, 2019. (New Right)
June 14, 2021, 8:49 am
Activist Shirley Pinto to become first deaf Knesset member for Yamina
Party member is a longtime campaigner on disability issues, particularly matters relating to hearing-impaired; will enter parliament using ‘Norwegian Law’
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Yehoshua Soudakoff (left) in the green screen room with actors Daniel Malka (center) and Chen Belilty. (Courtesy)
February 28, 2021, 11:29 am
Deaf rabbi translates Torah into sign language
Yehoshua Soudakoff says his project, which will see the entire Bible visually acted out, makes Judaism accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing who miss out on communal readings
By Ellie Jacobs
CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) David M. Schizer at the Spivack gymnasium in Ramat Gan, playing basketball as part of the Israel Unlimited partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation and Israeli government to empower Israelis with disabilities, February 2018. (JDC)
February 26, 2021, 5:50 am
The Jewish world’s biggest donor to disability inclusion is pulling its funding
Some worry as the Ruderman Foundation begins to redirect funds after 18 years of successful activism — though experts say more diverse sources could be beneficial in the long run
By Asaf Shalev
Odelia Fitoussi at the UN headquarter in New York (courtesy Israeli Mission to the UN)
December 1, 2020, 11:52 am
Israeli with muscular dystrophy elected to UN committee for disability rights
Netanyahu, Rivlin congratulate art therapist Odelia Fitoussi for clinching 1 of 9 slots on prestigious panel; Israeli UN envoy hails ‘true triumph of the human spirit’
By Raphael Ahren
Denise Sherer Jacobson (left) and friends at Camp Jened (Courtesy of Denise Sherer Jacobson)
June 28, 2020, 4:58 am
How a hippie New York camp put rocket fuel in disability advocacy
Netflix documentary ‘Crip Camp’ charts how an inclusive 1960-70s summer camp in the Catskills shaped activists who are fighting for equality today amid the COVID-19 crisis
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Illustrative photo of a boy in a wheelchair. (Eky Akmal/EyeEm/Getty Images via JTA)
February 18, 2019, 3:48 am
Jews with disabilities explain how communities fall short on inclusion
To mark Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, Jewish advocates share their thoughts on how the community is doing in terms of including them
By Josefin Dolsten
A trainer attends to New York Yankees' Luis Cessa, center, after he was injured on a play at first base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
February 11, 2019, 12:17 am
Jewish group convinced MLB to change ‘disabled list’ to ‘injured list’
Ruderman Family Foundation, an advocacy group, campaigned for the name change for months, saying it creates an incorrect stereotype about the disabled
By Marcy Oster
Rabbi Lynne Landsberg at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s 2017 Consultation on Conscience conference. (Courtesy of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism via JTA)
March 1, 2018, 6:06 am
Rabbi who sought a place for those with disabilities dies at 66
Lynne Landsberg, a Reform rabbi, led efforts by all Jewish streams, as well as interfaith initiatives, to foster inclusion in religious communities
By JTA
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.