Adele – Rolling in the Deep and Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month

Written by Dori Frumin Kirshner, Executive Director, Matan

I just returned from a FLAME concert. What is FLAME, you might ask? FLAME is a collection of talented souls who don’t let any challenge (Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism,etc.) stand in their way of sharing their unique talent and GIFT of music with others.  It was one of the first times in my life I’ve seen an INCLUSIVE audience.  Adults with cognitive differences were ROCKIN’ OUT shoulder to shoulder with “typical” Hebrew school teenagers.  My face hurts from smiling so much – I’ve never been prouder of the Jewish community.  Who would have ever thought that singing Adele lyrics in a synagogue sanctuary could be so transformative?!  For a glimpse into what this audience experienced, please take a few minutes to view the Flame Video I was compelled to take with my phone. Let’s not wait for next February (Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month) to make nights like this happen again.