Inclusion
Everyone is welcome at Adas Israel Congregation.
We strive to be a fully inclusive community. and to remove all barriers to participation. We
define Inclusion as a core Jewish value and make every effort to accommodate everyone. Below
are examples of ways that we accommodate many different types of requests.
Please email inclusion@adasisrael.org to request accommodations for any of our programs, services, or events.
Facing the Music: Inclusion Celebration Shabbat meets Shabbat Shirah!
Shabbat Shirah, February 8th-9th
Sunday, February 9th, 10:30-11:30am, Kay Hall | Register Here
We welcome celebrated Jewish Musician Dave Schlossberg to our Shabbat morning service, with Dave’s inspired piano accompaniment as well as the premiere of a newly composed piece for this very occasion. Dave will deliver a poignant and powerful talk & Sermon-In-Song, “Facing The Music: How I Regained My Faith After A Life-Changing Injury,” about his personal journey through Spinal Cord Injury, which doubles as a cautionary tale against drunk driving. The presentation will be coupled with an informal concert featuring original compositions, classic renditions of famous Jewish melodies, and audience participation.
New listening devices in the Smith Sanctuary
Official Launch during Inclusion Shabbat on Saturday, February 8
Download the app on Google Play store | Download the app on the Apple App Store
We’re really excited to introduce a new system for listening devices in our Smith Sanctuary.
This new system will include two different ways to connect.
- Provided receiver with headphones at entrance of the Smith Sanctuary. Directions are printed for how to use them. You can also bring your own headphones as long as they have a headphone jack.
- We have included a second system in our update. For some people who already have personal listening devices, it complicates things to add another one on top. For those of you with personal listening devices, you’ll be able to connect as well with an app on your phone. If you plan to use the app, you can prepare ahead of time by downloading the app and syncing to our system before Shabbat begins. Download the app on Google Play store | Download the app on the Apple App Store
As you know our general expectation is that people shut down their devices on Shabbat before they enter into the building. And also there are times when we need to think more expansively about what our overall obligation is in the moment. For some people, their devices allow them to be fully included in Jewish life. This is one of those cases.
Adas Israel Library
Adas Israel's congregational library includes a wide range of books for children and adults relating to the topics of diversity, disability, and inclusion. To search for a specific book within the library catalog go to https://www.adasisrael.org/adas-library Feel free to contact Robin Jacobson (librarian@adasisrael.org) with questions or suggestions for books to be added to the library.
ACCOMMODATIONS WE PROVIDE
Parking & Metro information
We are located 1.5 blocks north of the Cleveland Park metro station on the same side of Connecticut Avenue as the station elevator. There are 3 reserved spots in our parking lot for cars with the handicap placard. If you would like to reserve parking without having a placard, please email inclusion@adasisrael.org.
Live streaming & Dial-In
Many people who are unable to travel to Adas Israel for programs or services participate via live-streaming. Please see adasisrael.org/serviceslive for current livestreams or adasisrael.org/adaslive for an archive of recordings. To dial in and listen to services in the Smith Sanctuary over the telephone, call 202-686-8405. There are a limited number of phone lines available, so it’s best to call before the service begins.
Interpretation & Assistive Devices
Hearing loops are available at the front desk and are located outside of each service location.
ASL Interpretation or captioning is provided upon request for any service or event. Please email inclusion@
adasisrael.org at least 48 hours in advance. In every service, we have large print copies of the Lev Shalem
siddur for Shabbat and holidays and the Lev Shalem Machzor for High Holidays. We also have a Braille set of
the Sim Shalom Siddur. Please ask an usher for help in finding these books.
Food Allergy Information
Please email our Food and Beverage Events Manager, Juliana.Nieto@adasisrael.org with questions about specific allergens.
Prayer & Program Spaces
The Charles E. Smith Sanctuary has several features to accommodate our community:
Ramps go up to the Bimah on both sides. People in wheelchairs can sit in several aisle locations around the
sanctuary. There are bookstands in the cutouts. There is an elevator to/from the sanctuary from other levels.
The Amud (lectern) on the Bimah can be lowered and raised.
General Building Accessibility Information:
The Quebec Avenue sidewalk in front of the building was repaved in 2016. There is a curb cut in front of the
Quebec Street entrance. Elevators and ramps connect all the rooms in the building. The Biran Beit Midrash and
the lobby restrooms have automatic doors. Mezuzot are at two different heights on all main-level doors.
LGBTQ Inclusion
Everyone is welcome here. Full stop. There is an all-gender restroom on the main floor which is wheelchair accessible. Additionally, there is an all-gender restroom on the third floor which is not wheelchair accessible.
Flexible Dues
Finances aren’t an obstacle to joining Adas Israel Congregation. Please contact Marcy.Spiro@AdasIsrael.org to have a confidential conversation about joining our community.
Low Sensory Accommodations
A Quiet Room can be opened on request by an Adas staff person. There is a basket of noise cancelling headphones in various sizes at the front desk.
Mikvah
Every body is welcome at the Adas Israel Community Mikvah. The preparation room has been recently remodeled and now meets/exceeds ADA standards. An Aquatic Lift is available on request by emailing Mikvah@adasisrael.org at least 24 hours in advance of a Mikvah appointment.
Job Training Programs
We have a partnership with Outcomes Service to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities. Additionally, we purchase sweets for many of our weekly programs from Sunflower Bakery, a training school for bakers with learning differences.
Gan HaYeled Preschool
Our preschool employs a Full Time Developmental Support Coordinator with specialties in Early Detection, Early Intervention and Best Practices in Inclusion. The preschool has a dedicated Sensory Space to accommodate student needs for self-regulation, maintains a full inventory of assistive technology to support individual student needs, and collaborates with on-site Speech/Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Behavioral Therapy practices. A professional staff member administers a bi-annual developmental checklist to monitor children's development.
Religious School
Our educational programs take a collaborative approach with families around individualized classroom needs. Our Assistant Director participated in the 2017-2018 Matan Institute for Education Directors. Students have access to noise canceling headphones and other technologies and techniques are employed to support individual needs of each student. Additionally, students learn Hebrew in small learning groups in grades 3-6 with individual support as needed.
Community Awareness
Adas Israel Congregation celebrates Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month every year in February, in addition to inclusion-themed programs throughout the year. Our clergy and leadership participate in the annual Jewish Disability Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. We are a founding member of the USCJ-Ruderman Family Foundation Inclusion Action Community. Our Inclusion Task Force meets regularly. To get involved, send an email to inclusion@adasisrael.org.
Please email inclusion@adasisrael.org to request accommodations for any of our programs, services, or events.
