Parashat Shemini
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Accessibility & Inclusion

We are committed to inclusion for people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. As we aim to ensure that our communities thrive, it is vital that we continue to make our spaces welcoming, inclusive and engaging to all. It is important to remember that around 20% of the population have a disability, whether it is visible or not. If someone feels that they are not able to participate in an aspect of community life, this could prevent them and their whole family from attending.

Below you will find a range of resources and support available for members and communities. If you have any general queries, please get in touch on inclusion@theus.org.uk.

If you would like to join the conversation regarding physical accessibility and receive updates on our progress in this area, please contact Daniella. If you would like to be part of a parent carers working group or for more information on disability inclusion at the US please contact Rivka.

We recently ran a panel for community leaders on the subject of Neurodiversity and Mental Wellbeing sharing examples of good practice in disability inclusion, to encourage lay leadership and volunteers to embrace these ideas in their communities. Two US members shared their personal experiences of being included in their particular communities and the significant impact this has had on their mental well-being. Click here to watch the panel.

For disabled and neuro-diverse people synagogue buildings can offer huge challenges, whether in the shape of a flight of stairs or a noisy room. We aspire to enable even more people to use our shuls, community groups and nurseries through publishing the Accessibility Features of each of our communities on our website. This sits alongside our new Accessibility Symbols Guide.

The guide, believed to be the first of its kind in the Jewish community and possibly of any faith community in the UK, has a key of symbols for features such as a Shabbat lift, a wheelchair ramp to the bimah and a quiet space.

Please click here to view the Accessibility Features of each community.
Please click here to download our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

We are also able to offer support and recommendations for communities wishing to improve their accessibility.

Please click here to download our Accessibility & Sensory Toolbox containing recommendations for items that engage the different senses as much as practicable whilst at shul.
Please click here to download our New Build or Refurbishment Accessibility Considerations for advice, guidance and practical recommendations.

If you would like to join the conversation regarding physical accessibility and receive updates on our progress in this area, please contact Daniella.

We Are All Different: Inclusive Bar & Bat Mitzvah Guide

This publication offers suggestions that help to create a meaningful and welcoming simcha for people with varying abilities and challenges. It opens the discussion around a family’s additional or particular needs. Some parents may be concerned that their child with additional needs will not feel welcome or able to participate, or that there is some template way in which this milestone is to be recognised. We hope that this guide will “break the ice” for early communication with your Rabbi, Rebbetzen and lay leaders.

Click here to download the guide
Click here to download a version of the guide which is friendlier to your printer

Making Prayer Services More Inclusive

This guide, developed by Gesher School in partnership with the United Synagogue, offers a range of ideas to make synagogue services and events more accessible, engaging and inclusive to individuals with additional needs.

Click here to download the guide

(For a printed copy of these guides, or for any other queries, please email inclusion@theus.org.uk)

Creating Warmth: Chanukah Resource

Click here to download our top tips for making Chanukah fun and inclusive

Purpose of the Quiet Room

Click here to download information and guidelines about quiet spaces.

Chagim Social Stories

Chagim (festivals) can be overwhelming for people with sensory needs, anxiety and social challenges. These social stories created by Gesher School, can help make the festivals less daunting and more accessible.

Click here for the Rosh Hashanah Social Story
Click here for the Yom Kippur Social Story
Click here for the Succot Social Story
Click here for the Chanukah Social Story

We are extremely proud to have launched a ground-breaking new siddur (prayer book) for adults and children with disabilities, both physical and learning.

Siddur Lakol, ‘A Siddur for Everyone’, features clear print with simplified translations and accessible transliteration of core prayers. It is the first ever orthodox prayer book to use the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a set of graphic icons to help those with autism spectrum conditions convey their thoughts and needs.

The use of PECS offers a more meaningful prayer experience to those dependent on them.

The siddur has been produced in partnership with JWeb working in collaboration with Gesher School and Kisharon and with the endorsement of Norwood and Langdon.

The siddur is available in both A4 and A5 formats, providing options to support people with a wide range of disabilities. Larger font sizes will help people with visual disabilities and the larger edition may help people who find it difficult to hold and read smaller siddurim.

The siddur has been made possible by the generous support of the Daniels family from the Pinner United Synagogue community, in order to honour the life of Sonya Daniels, their wife, mother and grandmother. Sonya Daniels was passionate about both Judaism and education throughout her life including working with children with diverse educational needs in school.

Click here to order Siddur Lakol.

Leading our work supporting people with disabilities and additional needs are Daniella Neifeld, our Community Participation Manager, and Rivka Steinberg, our Lead Advocate for Additional Needs. You can meet them here!

Daniella Neifeld, Community Participation Manager

Originally from the United States, Daniella moved to the UK nearly six years ago and has recently joined the United Synagogue as Community Participation Manager.

Daniella’s background is in Jewish Education and strategic development. She has worked with Jewish Communities across the world including Israel, the USA and Australia. She believes in highlighting the uniqueness of each community while focusing on the Jewish national identity.

To appreciate a community, it is important to appreciate the individuals who make up the community. As an educator, Daniella understands the importance of creating an environment of belonging. It is essential for individuals of different needs, circumstances and outlooks to learn, grow, and give back effectively.

Daniella is excited to use her background in strategic development to create strong and impactful change alongside her colleagues at the United Synagogue and community leaders.

She can be reached via dneifeld@theus.org.uk.

Rivka Steinberg, Lead Advocate for Additional Needs

Rivka spent many years working in scientific research. Her interest in improving the quality of education and health services for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilty (SEND), developed when her eldest daughter was diagnosed with neurodisability in 2005 and with it the requirement to become a strong advocate for all her additional needs. She trained with IPSEA (Independent provider of SEND legal advice) to develop a strong knowledge of the SEND legislation and has used her broad knowledge and skills gained over many years to advise parent carers on SEND matters. She has also worked for voluntary organisations, specialist provisions and on parent advocacy with Local Authorities.

Her personal and professional experiences have seeded a desire and passion to share the knowledge acquired in her own journey and to work closely with leadership in the community, to enable all children and adults to lead a high quality of life, regardless of their additional needs. Rivka believes this is all about breaking down barriers so that children and adults with needs, are more fully integrated and supported to embody Jewish life in ways that are meaningful to them without feeling compromised.

She can be contacted on rsteinberg@theus.org.uk

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