Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month, "A Different Spirit" & Papaya Boats with Elaine Hall

About this episode

Debra Eckerling speaks with Elaine Hall about inclusive celebrations for b'nai mitzvah and the importance of awareness in planning.

On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb , host Debra Eckerling speaks with Elaine Hall, founder of The Miracle Project and contributor to "A Different Spirit: Creating Meaningful B'nai Mitzvah for Children with Disabilities." The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive theatre, film and social program for neurodivergent, autistic, disabled and non-disabled individuals. "A Different Spirit" addresses creating a similar, but different type of community experience. The book, compiled by Howard Blas and Ilana Trachtman, offers guidance around celebrating b'nai mitzvah for youth who experience the world differently. It brings together educators, parents, and advocates — including Hall — to share models of ceremonies that are creative, accessible, and personal. "I had created one of the first b'nai mitzvah programs for autistic youth a number of years ago, called Nes Gadol, through Vista Del Mar," she explains. "My son, Neal, was the first bar mitzvah, so they asked me to share my ideas." Celebrations are often built around food, but Hall believes they should also be built around awareness. When planning a b'nai mitzvah or any large gathering, she encourages families to think beyond…

People in this episode

Host: Debra Eckerling

Guest: Elaine Hall

Topics covered

• disability awareness
• inclusion
• b'nai mitzvah
• neurodiversity
• community
• celebration

Keywords

• disability awareness
• inclusion
• b'nai mitzvah
• neurodiversity
• The Miracle Project
• celebration
• community

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Miracle Project, Vista Del Mar

Books & works: A Different Spirit: Creating Meaningful B'nai Mitzvah for Children with Disabilities

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