Disability Rights and Inclusion
Academics
Disability Rights and Inclusion Project
The Jewish Law Institute has launched a project dedicated to promoting disability rights and awareness, within Jewish communities and beyond. Components of the project will include both public events and scholarly publications.
The project commenced in the Spring of 2019, when the Jewish Law Institute and Touro Law Center hosted two lectures: Dr. Frances Victory presented "Understanding the Individualized Education Program – How School Teachers and Staff Can Help Parents Make the Best Choices for Their Child,” and Eileen Buckley, Esq., presented "Legal Aspects of the Special Education Process."
To view the lectures:
The project continued in the 2019-2020 academic year, with two more presentations. The first presentation was from Solange Captan, Esq., Director of Tuition and Counsel for SINAI Schools, who presented “Best Practices & Special Education.” You can listen to this lecture.
The second presentation, "Neurodiversity in the Torah," was given by Professor Samuel J. Levine, Director of the Jewish Law Institute, in conversation with Dr. Ian Hale, author of Asperger's, Autism & You.
To view the lecture:
In September 2020, The Jewish Law Institute hosted a conference, "Jewish Law in Comparative Context." As part of that Conference, Rabbi Michael Levy, President of Yad HaChazakah - The Jewish Disability Empowerment Center, and Professor Stephen Mark Shore, an internationally renowned speaker on autism gave presentations.
Rabbi Michael Levy's lecture:
"Disability Access and Acceptance: The Intersection Between Torah and American Justice"
Stephen Mark Shore's lecture:
"The 4 A's of Autism: Awareness, Acceptance, Appreciation, and Action as a Pathway to a Fulfilling and Productive Life"
In May 2021, Touro College and the Jewish Law Institute presented an online panel exploring the topic: "Autism: Disability or Difference? The Past, Present and Future of Neurodiversity." Speakers included: Dr. Alan Kadish, President, Touro College and University System; John Elder Robison, Neurodiversity Scholar, College of William & Mary and New York Times bestselling author of Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's; Shira Ruderman, Executive Director, Ruderman Family Foundation; and Professor Levine.
In October 2021, Touro College and the Jewish Law Institute presented An Evening with Temple Grandin, on the topic: "Autism Advocacy: A Life's Work." The event was moderated by Dr. Alan Kadish, President, Touro University, and Professor Levine.
In November 2021, Touro Law's Jewish Programs Committee and the Jewish Law Institute hosted a discussion of Professor Levine's book, Was Yosef on the Spectrum? The discussion featured John Elder Robison in conversation with Professor Levine.
On May 1, 2022, Touro University hosted the 50th Anniversary Conference, "Perspectives on Individual Autonomy and Community Responsibility." As part of the conference proceeding, Professor Levine made a presentation on the topic of "Communal Responsibilities Toward Individuals with Disabilities."
On May 18, 2022, Touro University and the Jewish Law Institute presented an online panel exploring the topic: "Autism, Disability and Employment: An International Conversation." Speakers included: Dr. Alan Kadish, President, Touro University; Tim Goldstein, Global Cloud Trainer, Google; Hardeep Rai, Group CEO & Founder, Kaleidoscope Group/Kaleidoscope Investments; Dr. Michael Stein, Executive Director, Harvard Law School Project on Disability; Elisabeth Wiklander, Cellist, London Philharmonic Orchestra; and Professor Levine.
On October 23, 2022, Touro University and the Jewish Law Institute presented an online panel exploring the topic: "Autism and Employment: Lessons From the Corporate World." Speakers included: Dr. Alan Kadish, President, Touro University; Lihi Lapid, President of SHEKEL - Inclusion for People with Disabilities; Mobileye employees, Mollie Goldstein, Eli Schreiber, and Roni Vistuch; and Professor Levine.
On December 15, 2022, Touro University and the Jewish Law Institute presented an online panel exploring the topic: "Autism and Religion: An International Conversation." Speakers included: Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, Chief Program Officer & Director, Whole Community Inclusion, Jewish Learning Venture; John Elder Robison, Neurodiversity Scholar, College of William & Mary and New York Times Best-Selling Author of Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's; Rabbi Dr. Rafi Feuerstein, President of the Feuerstein Institute; and Professor Levine.
On February 15, 2023, Touro Law's Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Disability Rights & Inclusion Project, and Disabled & Allied Law Students Association hosted Nicole Buonocore Porter, Professor of Law and Director of the Martin H. Malin Institute for Law and the Workplace at Chicago-Kent Law School, for a presentation on Disability Awareness Training. The PowerPoint slides are subject to Copyright 2023 Nicole Buonocore Porter.
On April 19, 2023, Touro Law's Disability Rights & Inclusion Project, Disabled & Allied Law Students Association (DALSA), and Office of Diversity & Inclusion presented an event on the topic: "Disability Rights Advocacy: One Family's Journey." Speakers included: Owen Kelly; John Kelly, Founding President, DALSA ; Regina Brandow, Esq.; and Professor Levine.
On October 24, 2023, Touro University and the Jewish Law Institute presented an online panel exploring the topic: "Hollywood and Disability: An Insider's Perspective." Speakers included: Doug Roland, Oscar-Nominated Director, Feeling Through; Dr. Susan Ruzenski, Chief Executive Officer, Helen Keller Services; Chris Woodfill, Associate Executive Director, Helen Keller National Center; Scott Davert, Coordinator, Technology, Research and Innovation Center, Helen Keller National Center; and Professor Levine.
On March 7-8, 2024, Touro Law Center and the Jewish Law Institute hosted “Disability Rights and Inclusion: A Multidisciplinary Conference.” The conference proceedings included presentations by speakers from across the Unites States, as well as online presentations from overseas, exploring programs and approaches, lessons learned, and strategies and recommendations for promoting disability rights and inclusion.
In addition, the Jewish Law Institute co-sponsored a special Symposium Issue of the Touro Law Review on the subject of "Current Issues in Disability Rights Law." The issue includes articles by leading scholars and advocates of disability rights from across the United States.
To read the Symposium Issue, click the image below.
In connection with the project, Professor Levine recently published a book exploring the biblical character Joseph: Was Yosef on the Spectrum? Understanding Joseph Through Torah, Midrash, and Classical Jewish Sources. Click the image below to purchase the book.
Read reviews of Professor Levine's book in The Jewish Week, The Jewish Telegraph, The Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, The Israel Journal of Psychiatry, The Journal of Disability and Religion, and the Touro Law Review by John Elder Robison, Nathan Weissler, Ian Hale, Ph.D., and Stephen A. Rosenbaum.