Ensuring an Inclusive Community

The St. Paul Jewish Federation is committed to creating an inclusive and vibrant Jewish community. During Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion month, we are especially aware of the importance of ensuring that we support the needs of all community members.

Federation is proud to fund inclusion programs and disability services through endowments and distributions to our partner agencies. One such endowment is the Goldberger Family Fund, which provides funding for services including educational support, equipment, respite care and specialty camp for Jewish families in St. Paul whose children are on the autism spectrum. The fund was established by Jay and Esther Goldberger, whose son was diagnosed with autism, to help families get care for their children. Applications for Goldberg Family Fund scholarship are now available online. Go to www.jewishstpaul.org/community/scholarships

Federation also supports inclusion programs and disability services through our partner agencies

The newly renovated Minnesota Hillel building is now handicap accessible as detailed in a recent
TC JewFolk story. All the restrooms are handicap accessible, there is a new centrally located elevator, and there is a new

Jewish Family Service of St. Paul offers support to people with disabilities with waivers to connect them to resources. Services include personal care assistance, transportation, homemaking and housing. “Waivers are designed to support people in living as independently as possible, and it’s designed to help people stay in their homes if they want,” said Disability Services Program Manager, Katy Cobb.

Special education seminar series

The St. Paul Jewish Federation, Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Sovev Kinneret are offering a five-part virtual Special Education Seminar Series. The seminars address various aspects of special education including educational, emotional and technological and are designed for educators, parents and professionals. The approach is non-judgmental, interactive and fun! Next up: Assistive Technology: Sunday, March 7, 12 Noon. Learn more.