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From: Myra Madnick, Executive Director of the National
Down Syndrome Society
. . .Praying with Lior is an important
and groundbreaking film because it portrays how community inclusion,
including religious inclusion, can enhance the lives of people with
disabilities and the lives of everyone in the community. . . We are
not aware of any existing documentary film that deals with religious
inclusion in this way. Ilana Trachtman's background in award-winning
documentaries and children's television makes her the perfect person
to direct this film and explore these topics. She and her producing
colleague have a familiarity Lior's spiritual community and a level
of access and trust with the family and community that is a rare opportunity.
From: Becca Hornstein, Executive Director, Council
for Jews with Special Needs
. . . As the mother
of a 30-year old son who has autism, I have experienced firsthand congregational
reluctance to include a person whose disabilities make it difficult
for him to study and pray in the typical manner. My professional and
personal experiences lead me to whole-heartedly endorse Ms. Trachtman's
efforts to share Lior's remarkable story with the world.
From: Ginny Thornburgh and Lorraine Thal, Director and Program Officer, National Organization on Disability Religion and Disability Program
Spirituality and the religious needs of those with disabilities is often dismissed, or simply seen as too difficult or to expensive to accommodate. Praying with Lior testifies that making our religious communities accessible to everyone is priceless. The joy and open-heartedness that Lior Liebling brings to his religious community, and the way that his synagogue, school, and family reciprocates, provides a rare model. In witnessing Lior's story and journeying with him to becoming a Bar Mitzvah, viewers will join Lior's community and share his rite of passage into adulthood.
From: Rabbi Daniel Brenner, Director, Center for Multifaith Education,
Auburn Center for Media and Religion
As a rabbi, I am confident that Praying with Lior will be a powerful
force in the Jewish world - and help Jewish communities to ask the difficult
questions regarding special needs and integration that the subject matter
provokes. As the director of an interreligious center, I am also certain
that this film will teach Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists
about Judaism in a way that is honest and meaningful. This is a film
that transcends many differences and celebrates human dignity in the
face of serious challenges. . .
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