We are honored to be featured in Jewish Disability Inclusion News, “Signs of Belonging,” as a leader in inclusion and accessibility.
“Congregants attending Kerem Shalom in Massachusetts flow into the building for Shabbat services like participants in shuls (synagogues) around the world; they joyously greet each other, find seats and prayer books and settle into the familiar Friday ritual. Voices raise and fall as they wait for services to begin. An additional attribute also joins the evening rhythm – the rich visual-spatial communication that is American Sign Language. Kerem Shalom or KS is one of several U.S. congregations that fully includes the Deaf community through the use of ASL, captions, interpreters and other elements of connection. KS also is one of a handful of synagogues which offers a Deaf Rabbi. Rabbi Darby Leigh drew from his own experience of marginalization in the Jewish community to create a truly welcoming environment for Deaf Jews to flourish. A spiritual seeker and eclectic leader whose background includes study in Eastern traditions, performances with the National Theater of the Deaf as well as involvement with various rock bands, this Rabbi wanted to sing, dance and pray in the communal space of his ancestors. Kerem Shalom is the realization of that vision. The choir uses ASL, with members signing specific prayers. The traditional Shema wording of “listen” or “hear” is replaced with the sign PAY ATTENTION. At 250 members strong in 2021, congregants continue to enjoy a vibrant community where a detailed Inclusion and Accessibility statement is posted on the website, and hands and voices both play a central role in creating a home for everyone.”
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