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23 JUNE 2022 Siddur for people with disabilities launched

Jewish charities have published the first orthodox prayer book for people with physical or learning disabilities.

The siddur marks Learning Disability Week (June 20-26) and is available to buy from September.

Siddur Lakol - ‘A Siddur for Everyone’ - features clear print with simplified translations and transliteration of core prayers. A focus is on the Kabbalat Shabbat Service.

The siddur features Friday prayers of many Jewish schools and will be produced in A4 and A5 format to support people with a range of disabilities. Large font sizes help people with visual challenges, a larger edition may help people finding it difficult to hold or read smaller siddurim.

The Picture Exchange Communication System are graphic icons to help those with autism spectrum conditions. All tefillot and songs appear with matching PECS (icons).

The United Synagogue is making available explanatory videos so Rabbinic, service and school leaders can be familiar with techniques for best practice and provision of inclusivity services.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis hopes the publication will prompt a community-wide conversation to ensure every aspect of Jewish life is accessible to all.

Introducing the new siddur, he said, “All our children are exceptionally precious in our eyes, we have a responsibility to ensure that our Judaism is accessible to all, so that

Raphael, Eli and Bezzy all enjoying using the new Siddur Lakol

PHOTO: ROBERT SHACK

each one will attain their own full personal potential. Siddur Lakol is an outstanding publication, produced by a team with deep knowledge and expertise.”

The tailor-made edition is produced in partnership with JWeb working with Gesher School and Kisharon with endorsements of Norwood and Langdon.

Sarah Sultman, Co-Founder of Gesher School, said that the siddur gave all children access to Jewish faith through prayer.

Hadassa Kessler, Kisharon’s Director of operations and development noted, “People with learning disabilities will be able to follow the service, connecting with Shabbat prayers and melodies sung every week making synagogue attendance, or even prayer at home, more engaging and meaningful.”

She added, “Siddur Lakol is a big leap into making shuls and communities more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, who so often have been sidelined and their needs not understood or accommodated. One of the highest risks for people with learning disabilities is loneliness, and to try to prevent this we want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be part of their community, to make friends and build relationships, and to celebrate occasions together.”

“Siddur Lakol is nice, printed well and something new for Kisharon,” said Eli Cohen, a tenant at Kisharon. “It’s good for people who don’t understand or can’t read, because you can understand with the pictures. My friend, who lives in my house, can use it to say Shema before he goes to sleep, if he wants to.”

The siddur introduces accessible language to the wider community, and it is hoped more organisations will start to use Easy Read or PECS in their newsletters, leaflets and job applications, to make accessible to neurodivergent people.

Deborah Gundle, a JWeb founder, is a mother of a special need child. She is hopeful the siddur will be used to enjoy prayers at home, online and in synagogues.

Jacqui Zinkin, US Trustee, said the siddur took its place amongst a suite of US publications.

“It serves as a way to educate the wider community, to learn about those with individual differences, thereby promoting respect, understanding and inclusion amongst members and congregants,” she noted.

The siddur is supported by the Daniels family from Pinner United Synagogue to honour the life of Sonya Daniels who was passionate about Judaism and education including working with children with diverse educational needs in school.

Manchester King David Primary school year 2 pupils, have already had their Siddur ceremony. Because of Covid, parents could not attend, so the school held a special celebration for parents.