Welcome to Temple Beth Ami
Welcome To Temple Beth Ami
  • Home Page
  • About Us
    • Clergy and Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Membership
    • Policies and Inclusion
    • Contact Us
    • Rentals
    • History
    • Czech Scrolls at Temple Beth Ami
    • Events
    • Judaica Shop
  • Jewish Life
    • Shabbat
      • Shabbat Sermons
    • Holidays and Festivals
    • Lifecycle
      • Bereavement
      • Birth
      • B’nei Mitzvah
      • Confirmation and Graduation
      • Marriage
      • TBA Cares
    • Israel
      • Israel Resources and Facts
    • Torah Blog
  • Education
    • Gan Ami (Early Childhood)
    • Machane TBA (Religious School)
    • Summer Programs
      • Gan Ami Summer Program (Age 2 – Pre-K)
      • Kayitz (K – 7th Grade)
    • Adult Education
    • Resources for Having Difficult Conversations with Children
  • Get Involved
    • TBA Tribune
    • Monthly Calendar of Events
      • April 2025
      • May 2025
    • Social Action
      • Tikkun Olam (Community Service)
      • Community of Action (Social Justice)
    • Social Groups
    • Jewish Book Council and Book Events
    • TBA TV
    • Member Support
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Members
    • ShulCloud
    • Financial Assistance
    • B’nei Mitzvah Preparation
    • Judaica Shop
    • Events

Events Calendar

« May 2025 » loading...
S M T W T F S
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

<>>

…we are committed to create an embracing and accessible community

Inclusion has always been an important value at Temple Beth Ami.  I am always proud to see the diversity of our congregation, where people with both physical or mental disabilities are warmly welcomed in our congregation.  Few people flinch when someone calls out during a service or appears a bit different.  Students know that they can learn in a safe and comfortable environment in both our Religious School and Nursery School.  Our Temple even has an Inclusion Committee that works to make sure we are meeting the needs of the congregation – new members and old.

February is Jewish Disability and Inclusion month.  The word disability is such a stigmatized word.  The word suggests that these individuals are unable to function in society.  Yet, there is so much that these unique individuals can do in a different way—and it helps us to approach things from a new perspective.  In the Bible we are told: “Atem Nitzvaim—You all stand here today—all of you, before Adonai, your God—your tribal leaders, your elders, and your officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp, from the woodchopper to water drawer—to enter into this covenant of Adonai your God.” (Deut. 29:9-11). The Torah teaches us the importance of inclusivity—that each person is to be valued.

At Beth Ami there are many ways we strive to be an inclusive community, and I thought you should know about some of the efforts being made. 

  • The grounds have a paved path and handicap parking access
  • There is an elevator in the building to the second floor
  • There are quiet rooms available during Temple activities
  • Live streaming of services
  • Railing and ramp to the bima, large print siddur and hearing devices
  • A welcoming committee to great guests and members
  • Food allergy policy for the Temple- We made our Temple a Nut Free zone and there are always gluten free and dairy free options available at our services and events
  • Mental Health awareness programs including our new Bitachon group
  • An inclusion section of our Temple Website

And in our schools:

  • Sensory friendly services with “pray by pray” booklets
  • TBANS/Machane food allergy policy
  • TBANS employs part time OT, SLP, Developmental Support Coordinator and Social Thinking specialist to provide professional training, mentoring and ongoing consultation for teachers and parents of children with diverse needs.
  • Atzma’im (independent) program for students with diverse needs in grades 3-6
  • Customized B’nai Mitzvah services for kids with special needs.
  • “Break Boxes” on inclusion bins for students who need extra support to focus (stress balls, noise cancelling headphones, bumpy seats)
  • Teacher training session on inclusive practices
  • Inclusion specialist on staff

At Beth Ami, we are committed to create an embracing and accessible community.  We never want a person’s disabilities to get in the way of our ability to see that person’s special gifts and talents. 

Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 22nd when we welcome a special speaker, Aaron Kaufman of the Jewish Federation of North America’s D.C office. Having Cerebral Palsy, Aaron feels he brings a unique perspective to JFNA’s effort on behalf of people with disabilities. Outside of advocacy, he was the instructor in Project SEARCH Montgomery, a job-training program for young adults with significant disabilities.   Please don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Aaron.

This month, I want to acknowledge the hard work and impressive efforts of our Inclusion Committee and assure you that Beth Ami is a place we can be proud of.  But we know that we can always do better. If there are any ways in which we can better meet your needs or the needs of those you care about in our community, please let us know.  We would be glad to have a conversation.  We want Beth Ami to be a place where all feel included and welcome.

Recent Clergy Messages

March 4, 2020

Monthly Clergy Message

January 27, 2020

Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Weiss

December 2, 2019

Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Pokras

November 6, 2019

Monthly Clergy Message From Cantor Eschler

September 25, 2019

Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Pokras

June 24, 2019

Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Luxemburg

June 4, 2019

Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Weiss

May 2, 2019

Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Pokras

1 2
  • Older Posts
    April 2, 2019

    Monthly Clergy Message – Cantor Eschler

    January 3, 2019

    Monthly Clergy Message from Rabbi Pokras

    December 13, 2018

    Monthly Clergy Message from Cantor Eschler

    August 23, 2018

    Clergy’s Monthly Message

Shop and support Temple Beth Ami
Amazon Logo
Contact the Webmaster with questions or comments about this site
Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Road Rockville MD, 20850
301-340-6818