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Thank you for sharing Praying with Lior with your community, school, or family! We hope you’ll continue discussing the themes of the film after the lights come up, and take action to change perceptions about people with disabilities and their reception in communities.
A fuller, multi-faith study guide is on its way, but here are some resources, activities, and discussion questions to get you started. |
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What does Judaism say about inclusion and disability? There are a wealth of Jewish references and writings promoting inclusion, education and tolerance. Here are some places to start your study: |
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Divrei torah by Rabbi Brad Artson about
Judaism and disabilities and his son Jacob
www.judaism.ajula.edu |
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Divrei torah ideas from Yesodot
www.yesodot.org |
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Jewish Readings on Inclusion
www.uscj.org |
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Lenore Layman
Opening the Gates of Torah: Including People
with Disabilities in the Jewish Community
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What are our own experiences with inclusion in faith communities?
Foster discussion on every person’s experiences of being excluded and of belonging,
exploring the places of comfort and the conditions leading to discomfort |
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Activities and tools
How can our community look more like Lior’s, and how can we
experience the gift of holiness that wholeness brings? |
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50+ Programming and Action Ideas
Click Here |
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How to do an inclusion assessment audit
www.bje.org |
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How to communicate respectfully
www.acils.com |
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More communication guidelines on disability
www.adl.org |
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Planning a Special Bar/Bat Mitzvah
www.jewishfamily.com |
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R-Word pledge
www.r-word.org |
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Some questions for discussion: |
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In genesis, it says that man was created “b’tselem elohim” or “in the image of G-d.” What does that mean? |
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If people come in all shapes and sizes and abilities and colors, and all are created in the “image of G-d,” what does that say about our understanding of G-d? |
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What are the theological/psychological reasons for the blessing we say when we see people who are different, “Blessed are you Barukh ata adonai elohaynu melekh ha-olam m'shaneh habriyot.” (Translated as: "Praised are you, Lord our G-d, who makes different creatures," or "Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who makes people different.") How does saying this blessing affect our experience of disability? |
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During Selichot, we traditionally recite the Thirteen Attributes of G-d’s mercy. We say the passage from Exodus that is translated as:"The Lord! The Lord! A God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, rich in steadfast kindness, extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He does not remit all punishment..." (Exodus 34:67). What does this passage mean in light of disability, and in light of Lior? |
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Identify the elements in Lior’s life that help him to succeed. |
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Identify the elements in Lior’s community that allow them to benefit from Lior. |
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What does it mean for a building or a situation to be inclusive or accessible? |
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What could inclusion look like in a family? In a school? In a professional setting? In a social setting? |
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How was Lior’s Bar Mitzvah like or unlike the B’nai Mitzvah of “typical” children? |
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What kinds of adaptations in your services or synagogue would make them more accessible? What kinds of departures from a traditional service or a traditional synagogue does your community already practice? |
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Why do you think Lior loves to daven so much? |
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Why do you think people in Lior’s community call him a “hassidic master” or “spiritual genius?” What is the contribution that Lior makes to his community? |
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What is the relationship between prayer and intelligence? |
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One of the boys in Lior’s class says that Lior’s Down syndrome is a “test,” both for Lior, and for his classmates. What does that mean? How would someone pass or fail this test? How about a community? |
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Who or what inspires your prayers? What can your community do to help your praying feel more inspired? |
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Lior’s name means “My light.” How is Lior a light to his family, his class, his community? What are the ways that each of us is a light? |
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