Jewish representatives at interfaith symposium
"...the key values I chose to instil in both my son and daughter out of the Jewish faith; to embrace others with empathy, to be charitable, and above all, to show human kindness"
Rabbi Yaakov Glasman of St Kilda Shule has once again teamed up with Jewish artist and disabilities advocate Lee Hirsch.
Hirsch and Rabbi Glasman recently co-presented at an interfaith symposium about disability and inclusion.
The symposium took place in the City of Greater Dandenong at the council building library, and the Jewish representatives spoke alongside faith leaders from the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian traditions, as well as members of the community with a lived experience with a disability.
Rabbi Glasman told The AJN, “Faith and inclusion are terms that should be interchangeable.”
He added, “My faith has given me the perspective and context I need to truly appreciate the inestimable value of every single human being irrespective of our abilities or disabilities, and to value all of humanity as one inclusive people.
“I was very appreciative of the efforts that were made to ensure kosher food for the Jewish participants as well as halal food for the Muslim participants.”
Hirsch spoke about her family’s values of respect, charity and humanity during her speech at the event, which were passed down and instilled in her by her parents.
“These are the key values I chose to instil in both my son and daughter out of the Jewish faith; to embrace others with empathy, to be charitable, and above all, to show human kindness, regardless of a person’s ethnicity or abilities.
“Particularly due to my experiences growing up with undetected vision impairment,” she said.
She added, “My hope is that my children, now grown, and with families of their own, will be able to continue to embrace these family values, encouraged by our faith, and to pass them on to my grandchildren.”
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