Congregation Neve Shalom of Metuchen, New Jersey welcomed Max Rubin
with open arms to its pre-school. While his cerebral palsy may have forecast a host of challenges for some school administrators, Neve Shalom saw an amazing opportunity.
A recent article in the New Jersey Jewish News describes how Max’s parents doubted Neve Shalom would be able to accommodate his needs, but the synagogue rose to the occasion and never said, “no.” From hiring a personal aide to resurfacing the playground, the synagogue worked tirelessly to create a welcoming Jewish educational experience for all, including Max. In the end, with Max graduating shortly, Neve Shalom recognized that everyone benefitted from his presence. As Nursery School Director Martha Mack stated:
“When we first started we thought this would only benefit Max, who is a typical kid—bright, funny, a real all-star. What we didn’t realize is what it would do for us, his classmates, his peers. Max truly gave us a gift—the gift of inclusion.”
Our hope is that Jewish organizations across the country can appreciate the impact of inclusion—that welcoming all and lowering barriers to participation by accommodating specific needs can benefit everyone. Max’s parents hope that many others can learn from Neve Shalom’s example. In honor of his graduation from Nursery School, his parents hired a team of professional film-makers to create a short film documenting the community’s efforts toward inclusion. “Saying Yes: The Story of Max Rubin” premiered last week and will hopefully serve as inspiration for schools and organizations everywhere to say “Yes.”
We at JOI love the idea of sharing steps towards inclusion with colleagues at other organizations. If you’re interested in sharing your success story “welcoming all” or learning from the triumphs of others, we invite you to join the Big Tent Judaism Coalition of nearly 300 organizations committed to greater inclusiveness.
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