BES believes it as important that everyone is able to access and enjoy community services and activities regardless of disability or neurodiversity issues that they or their loved ones may face.
Everyone should feel that they belong and are welcome in BES. Our community should be somewhere that we all feel accepted and included, each one connected to many others and to the community as a whole.
However, we know that there are many sections of our community that feel we need to do more for them to feel accepted and included. In particular, this is true for people with disabilities, whether mobility, hearing or sight related, special educational needs, autism, and other aspects of neurodiversity.
With support from the United Synagogue’s Accessibility and Inclusion initiative, we have embarked on a community conversation in which we listen and hear from those with lived experience of access issues, and identify the ways in which we can address those issues to create a community of possibility rather than one of limitations.
Here are some examples of where we have made a difference to how we operate to help improve access:
- There are Accessibility Boxes containing fidget toys, ear defenders and magnifying glasses available on both sites every Shabbat.
- We’ve introduced accessibility icons on event flyers to show where services and events are accessible for wheelchairs or walking frame and walking sticks.
- Chairs are available at kiddush as standard on both sites for those that need to take the weight off their feet.
- There are large print siddurim available in the main Croxdale Road service.
- We’ve started to add subtitles to streamed talks which has been very well received.
- We’ll try where possible to include quieter options and spaces.
- Our services make sure that people understand that they only need to stand if they are able.
- And very importantly, we’ve had many wonderful Bar and Bat Mitzvahs tailored to the individual child as we recognise that not everyone wants to or is able to take part in a more traditional simcha format.
- Lastly, do reach out to our inspiring Forget-Me-Not Circle VIBES Group if you’re caring for loved ones with dementia.
As an inspiring way to start thinking about accessibility in the Jewish community, we recommend listening to this conversation between the Chief Rabbi and Fiona Berger who has MS. Fiona has been on a long and difficult journey but has seen how much her community has been able to help her engage and has some great lessons for all of us.
One key message that comes out of her experiences is for everyone to carry an element of compassion is our dealings with one another. Not everyone is able to connect with prayer or be involved in community events in the same way, so if it looks like someone is finding things difficult, Fiona suggests a little more understanding, as we don’t know what effort went into their journey to be where they are. Asking if someone is ok can make a big difference to how they feel.
The Chief Rabbi reminds us that Moses famously had an impediment with his speech. But Hashem helped him realise that that was not a barrier to leadership and in fact greatness, and Aaron reminded him that he would be there to help along the way.
Two great lessons for us as we continue on our Accessibility journey.
Useful resources
- A Neurodivergent Family’s Guide to Passover
- Fun Pesach songs for the Seder
- List of accessibility features in all United Synagogues shuls including BES
Contacts for Accessibility at BES
If you need help from our care volunteers, particularly if you need assistance getting to BES events, do get in touch with Community Support Co-ordinator, Karen Moss
Telephone:Â 020 8207 5741
Email:Â care@borehamwoodshul.org.
Michelle Woolf and Francesca Saltman hold our Inclusion and Accessibility portfolio on the Shul Council for the Croxdale Road site and Simon Berman, our Deputy Chair, is the HO with responsibility for Inclusion and Accessibility, so please get in touch with either of us if you have ideas for how to improve things further at BES.
