A unique prayer book designed to make Jewish prayer accessible to people with cognitive disabilities has been released in a new, updated edition.
The prayer book, called “Bekhol Derakhekha,” was developed by the Conservative Movement in Israel and the Israeli Center for Cognitive Accessibility. Its purpose is to enable worshippers to follow and understand the prayers without needing to read long or complicated passages, using small illustrative symbols to support those who struggle with reading.
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Chilldren with cognitive disabilities holding the 'Bekhol Derakhekha' book
(Photo: The Conservative Movement)
The second edition involved many hours of work to adapt the siddur according to the latest cognitive and linguistic accessibility methods used in Israel and abroad. It includes prayers for holidays, accessible versions of the Hanukkah candle-lighting blessings and special prayers composed during the war.
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An example of a prayer in the book using symbols to simplify it
(Photo: The Conservative Movement)
Marianela Kreiman, director of the Conservative Movement’s Adrabah Center, said the movement is proud to publish the new edition. “For more than 15 years this siddur has enabled children with disabilities and their families to pray together in a respectful, inclusive and equal way, just like everyone else,” she said.
Kreiman added that Adrabah, which organizes bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies for children on the spectrum, shares the movement’s belief that every young person with disabilities is an equal member of the Jewish people at every stage of life. She concluded with a holiday greeting: “I wish a happy holiday to all of Israel and hope, in the spirit of the Festival of Lights, that we continue to focus on things that brighten the world.”