named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy and Policy Testimony
Organizes and delivers testimony against legislation such as physician-assisted suicide bills that may negatively impact people with disabilities, based on disability rights and Jewish ethical values.
Emergency Preparedness Initiative
Provides guidance and resources for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions to prepare for public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
YadEmpowers Alliance
Collective of individuals working to advance access and participation for people with disabilities in Jewish communal life, including worship, education, and social events within Torah-observant parameters.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 7 activities
- ADA Anniversary Commemoration and EducationPublished commemorative pieces and reflections marking the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2020 to promote awareness and education.
- Community Inclusion Consultations and SupportOffers informational support, guidance, and consultations to communities seeking to become more inclusive of people with disabilities. Includes providing resources on Torah perspectives related to disability and responding to global inquiries about disability access.
- Disability Awareness and Inclusion WorkshopsProvides educational workshops on disability awareness and inclusion, delivered by speakers with disabilities. These workshops aim to build skills such as self-advocacy and negotiation and are conducted in person or via teleconferencing.
- Language and Terminology AdvocacyPublished articles advocating for the use of respectful language, including challenging the term “special needs” and promoting the use of “disability” to affirm dignity and respect.
- On-Site Accessibility Training for OrganizationsArranges and delivers on-site presentations for businesses, schools, yeshivas, and communal organizations to improve understanding of and responsiveness to people with disabilities.
- Private Sector Disability Access AdvocacyProvided advocacy and education to a private bus company regarding access for individuals with guide dogs, promoting compliance with disability rights standards.
- Student-Led Accessibility Advocacy CampaignOrganized and led a student advocacy campaign that successfully resulted in modifying a public pay phone in a school to be wheelchair-accessible.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Accessibility Resources and ToolkitsProvides downloadable PDF resources including a self-assessment tool, event accessibility checklist, and mikvah accessibility guidelines to help organizations evaluate and improve physical and communication access for people with disabilities.
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Distribution of PPE and Crisis Supplies 1 activity
- Emergency Preparedness Support During PandemicProvided tailored emergency preparedness guidance for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jewish Textual and Educational Publishing 1 activity
- High Holidays Guide for Jews with DisabilitiesPublished an annual guide to help Jews with disabilities observe the High Holidays, with editions released for the year 5781 (2020). The guide includes practical and religious guidance tailored to individuals with disabilities or underlying health conditions.
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Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
- Monthly Learning Sessions on Disability in Jewish Law and LoreCo-sponsors and conducts monthly teleconferencing learning sessions focused on disability and illness in Jewish law and tradition, providing ongoing Jewish education on these topics.
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Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Public Statements on Racial and Disability JusticeIssued public statements affirming opposition to racism and bigotry, linking racial justice to disability justice, including in response to the murder of George Floyd.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Shadchan (Matchmaking) Network for Individuals with DisabilitiesOperates a matchmaking network that connects Jews with disabilities or their family members based on shared backgrounds, experiences, or interests to reduce isolation. Facilitates weekly interactions through in-person meetings, phone calls, or digital communication.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advocacy for Disability Access at Public EventsAdvocated for and helped secure American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally in partnership with the Jewish Deaf Resources Center and Respectability.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$931
Contributions & grants$91799%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$14
expenses
Total expenses$9K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$45K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$45K
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -96.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
Who runs it
board members · 1
- Sharon Shapiro — Executive Director
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- American Foundation for the Blind Partner — Collaborates with AFB by directing users to AFB.org for information on website accessibility standards.
- Hofstra University Partner — Provided accessible campus environment enabling the executive director to attend classes, join Hillel, and participate fully in university life.
- Jewish Community Relations Council Partner — Partnered to provide Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally
- Jewish Community Relations Council Partner — Partnered with to provide American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally.
- Jewish Deaf Resources Center Partner — Collaborated on advocacy efforts to secure American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally
- Jewish Deaf Resources Center Partner — Collaborated to secure American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally.
- Koshertube Network — Rabbi Benjamin Hecht is a member of the Rabbinic Advisory Board of Koshertube and serves as Yad HaChazakah-JDEC’s Rabbinic Advisor.
- NISHMA Network — Rabbi Benjamin Hecht, a founding director of NISHMA, serves as Yad HaChazakah-JDEC’s primary Rabbinic Advisor.
- NISHMA Partner — Co-sponsors monthly learning sessions on disability and illness in Jewish law and lore.
- Rabbi Benjamin Hecht Partner — Rabbinic adviser providing guidance on Torah perspectives related to disability.
- Rabbi Michael Levy Partner — Authored the High Holiday 5781 guide in collaboration with Yad HaChazakah.
- Respectability Partner — Collaborated on advocacy efforts to secure American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally
- Respectability Partner — Collaborated to secure American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally.
- UJA Government — Partnered with UJA to provide Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally
- UJA Government — Partnered with to provide American Sign Language interpretation at the #NoHateNoFear Rally.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Barrier Removal for Inclusive Participationmethodology: barrier_removalBy systematically identifying and removing physical, communication, attitudinal, and systemic barriers, we enable full participation in Jewish communal and religious life, because inclusion strengthens both individuals and the broader community.
- Empowerment Through Faith-Based Leadership and Textual Integrationmethodology: faith_based_leadershipBy grounding disability empowerment in Torah standards and Jewish ethical teachings, we foster leadership among Jews with disabilities and shape institutional change, because religious framing legitimizes inclusion as a spiritual imperative rather than a charitable afterthought.