Inclusion & Accessibility

All people are completely welcome at Or Hadash

We work together to build and sustain a warm and welcoming culture in which all members are accepted and valued.

Being Inclusive at OH

We are a vibrant and diverse Reconstructionist congregation committed to expressing a Judaism that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly relevant in our contemporary world.

Inclusion at Or Hadash incorporates a wide variety of concerns. They include mental, physical, and emotional disabilities; welcoming people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning, and their allies; hearing and vision issues; interfaith families; People of Color, people with concerns about multicultural issues, non-Ashkenazi Jews. The common denominator is that these are all concerns that might make a person feel less welcome, less a part of, and less valued in a synagogue. At Or Hadash, we want all people to know that they are completely welcome and can be an integral part of the community.

We strive to create a warm and welcoming home where all members of every age are accepted and valued. Through our commitment to the principles of Reconstructionist Judaism, we promote and encourage opportunities for study, prayer, cultural and artistic expression & acts of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

YOU can make OH a more welcoming place to newcomers, visitors & people with disabilities

If you see a child having a difficult behavior moment, offer their grown-up a friendly smile, a sympathetic nod, or an extra hand.
There is no one way to “look Jewish!” We are a global and diverse community that includes folks of all races, genders, ethnicities, family structures, and backgrounds.
For everyone new to a synagogue, a warm welcome is appreciated. Make a special point of greeting people sitting alone as well.
If you see someone with a disability that makes being in our building difficult, be proactive in holding doors, offering an arm, or helping to carry things.
Not all disabilities are “visible.”
- If you see a person exhibiting atypical behavior, understand that it might be a sign of a disability. Embrace each person as being created b’tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image.
- If you see someone who is disheveled or out of sorts, consider that they may be experiencing issues related to mental illness, substance abuse, or a behavior disorder.
  Act with hesed, loving-kindness, towards all.
- Some people with attention and sensory issues may find it hard to sit through services. Young children may also need to move around. Practice acceptance and understanding of their need to move or get up and down during services.
Remember that a warm smile, a nod, or a small kindness can make all the difference for any of us

Accessibility and Accommodations

Our beautiful building can sometimes be challenging for people with disabilities, but we are deeply committed to doing everything we can to be accessible.

There are designated parking spaces for people with disabilities.
The Solarium Entrance to the Building is level, with a ramp into the sanctuary and another ramp onto the bima (stage) and to the rest of the first floor.
We have an upgraded Sound System and we also have close captioning on the screens in the Sanctuary and Community room.
We have a private, all gender Bathroom that accommodates most people with physical disabilities. We intend to install a more fully accessible bathroom as soon as our resources permit.
We test the AIR QUALITY in the building regularly. Other than the Solarium, all rooms on the first and second floor are Air Conditioned. As a precaution, we also have Air Purifiers in every room.
In the Solarium, we have tools such as Page Magnifiers, Assisted Listening Devices and Basic Masks for those who are immuno-compromised.
We have a Pray& Play space for young children at the back of the Sanctuary.
Enlarged Print & Braille Prayerbooks, We have versions of our siddur, our Shabbat prayerbook, with enlarged print to accommodate people with visual impairment. We hope someone will help us enlarge the pages of our mahzor, our High Holiday prayerbook, soon.
Some chairs in the Sanctuary always have arms and we are happy to reserve seats upon request.

Are there additional ways that we can accommodate you?

Contact: Wendy Elliott-Vandiveer by emailing Inclusion@OrHadash.com