Jewish Scene
Israel gets first disabled-accessible shul
Eti Dor
Published: 07.04.10, 15:36
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1. Kol hakavod, but this was not the first by a long shot!
Rabbi Reuven Carmel ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (04.07.10)
Kehillat Yedidya in Jerusalem is also fully accessible to the disabled and was completed in 2003. There may well be others as well.
2. Two corrections
Access ,   Israel   (04.07.10)
1. There are several fully accessible synagogues in Israel. This one is the first accessible in Kiryat Bialik (may be in whole Haifa Bay region). Most Orthodox synagogues are not accessible (when considering also access to the ladies section and toilet). 2. The Access Israel Seal was not promised. It is possible to start a process to check and grant it if everyone is willing to cooperate.
3. But didn't the Levis shut them out?
Josh   (04.08.10)
The Levis increased taxes and broke Torah corrupting Torah and falsely discriminating against handicapped. The additions in viyikra in a book written by an unknown author and falsely accpted by the Hebrews as if it passes the requirements of the law of Devarim 13 and Devarim 18, said they can not enter the congregation. We should have know better since Torah Devarim obligates us to protect Torah against false additions. We dropped the ball and our false leaders were more than happy to violate the laws for personal gainst. The Levies increased taxes/sacrafices ten fold. Diabled people fall under the ONE LAW requirement of Torah. The Levis were out of line discriminating against people with different length arms, long eye brows and disabilities. ONE LOVE and no false additions. Take heart Hebrew/Jewish brothers.
4. That's nice!
Talula ,   Israel   (04.08.10)
A town who cares about its citizens.
5. Will the women's section...
Dorothy Friend ,   Tel Aviv   (04.08.10)
...also be fully accessible?
6. Handicapped-Accessible Shul
Gordon Silverman ,   Bronx, NY USA   (04.08.10)
It is good to know that the Israeli government has finally recognized that the disabled should be able to enter the synagogue. It is too bad, though, that the writers of this article, in their excitement over this new development, did not consider that there are synagogues that already provide access to the handicapped -- and encourage them to attend t'filot. I know of at least one synagogue that has had handicapped-access for several years -- Ohel Avraham, which is located on the campus of the Leo Baeck Education Center, in Haifa. Perhaps they didn't make an effort to find this synagogue -- and, doubtlessly, others -- because they are not Orthodox. If that is the reason, then shame on them!
7. why
yehuda ,   israel   (04.09.10)
is the modern state of israel so far behind the first world? e.g. handicap access, littering, asbestos, transportation infrastructure
8. Access for the disabled in synagogues
Andrea Katz ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (04.15.10)
Kehillat Yedidya, a liberal Orthodx synagogue in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem is fully accessible for wheelchairs. The entrances to the building and all the public areas is by ramps and there is a wheelchair accessible bathroom. The issue of accessibility is taken very seriously by Yedidya members and I think we can rightfully claim the title of "first handicapped accessible" synagogue in Israel".
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