Global Jewish council ‘Voice of the People’ platforms disability in Jewish life
Jewish matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom hosts virtual roundtable for inclusion awareness
The leadership body established in 2023 by Israel’s President Herzog to elevate diverse Jewish perspectives on pressing issues has platformed an online conversation about disability, identity, and accessibility in Jewish communal life.
Aleeza Ben Shalom, star of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking, was one of 150 Jewish leaders from across the globe personally invited to play a crucial role in addressing challenges facing the Jewish community today.
On Sunday 15 February, she put her networking expertise to good use by hosting a virtual discussion to mark Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM).
Ben Shalom spoke with fellow Voice of the People member Brandon Farbstein, a Gen Z activist born with a rare form of dwarfism; Josh Aronson, a diaspora reporter for Ma’ariv who is on the autism spectrum; and Shani Bibi, a filmmaker and founder of Coda, an AI-driven sign language accessibility platform inspired by her experience growing up as the hearing daughter of deaf parents.
Ben Shalom called the month of disability inclusion “a time for learning, for reflection, for action. And it invites us to listen more closely and to widen our understanding of what belonging really means, to ensure that Jewish life, leadership and community are accesible, respectful and inclusive of all people and of all abilities.”
Emphasising the importance of consulting those directly affected, Farbstein said: “We have to stop being reactionary… how can we make this from the get-go something where as much as possible everybody can be a part of it.”
Speaking about his personal journey navigating autism, misdiagnosis, and exclusion growing up, and the role of media in changing public perception, Aronson added: “Have us tell you. We are the experts in our life. Carry on speaking out… The more people hear, the more it will get out into the world.”
Shani Bibi highlighted the practical barriers deaf individuals face, including during emergencies. Following 7 October, she developed a smartwatch system connected to Israel’s Home Front Command alerts that delivers a distinct vibration signal for deaf users, after recognizing the risks posed by audio-only warnings.
“Nobody’s doing this. I need to get this done,” she said, describing her efforts to distribute the solution directly through municipalities and deaf communities.
Panellists also emphasised the need for a broader cultural shift in how disability is understood.
“Everybody is somebody,” said Farbstein, underscoring the importance of dignity and recognition. Bibi added, “We don’t need to look about the disability. We need to look about their ability… and we just need to give people a chance.”
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