Working in a Jewish day school, you are surrounded by modern-day Maccabees whose heroic actions lead to miracles — big and small — all the time. During Chanukah, AVI CHAI and Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools are featuring stories from Jewish day schools of “Maccabee moments” when students, teachers, and leaders made a difference to surmount challenges, beat the odds, and valiantly further Jewish values and actions in our community. Together we will read them and say “Nes Gadol Haya PO!” Chag Urim Sameach!
A Maccabee Moment at The Leo Baeck Day School in Toronto
The Leo Baeck Tikkun Project aims to inspire and empower students to advocate for positive social change, using specifically designed units that weave together social justice education and Jewish texts. Through this initiative, we hope to find ways, inside and outside of the classroom, for students to feel empowered to make a difference in our community.
Our Grade 1s kicked off their Tikkun project with an exploration of accessibility within our community, delving into the topics of disability, inclusion and acceptance. Students heard from community members like Luke Anderson, the founder of the StopGap Foundation, who shared some of the barriers he faces as a wheelchair user. They carried out audits of a local public library and of our own school, recording and scoring measures of accessibility. They followed up by writing letters to our Head of School and Board President, proposing ways to make our facilities more accessible.
One item they proposed was installing a StopGap ramp at the exterior entrance to our school’s chapel, a place where our students gather on a regular basis for religious services and a hub for our community events. Students noted that making this space more accessible to outside visitors would allow us to include individuals of all abilities and ages, accommodating users of wheelchairs, strollers and walkers. One practically-minded student realized that good ideas are not enough to be a changemaker: funds would be needed to actualize their social justice goals. The student went home and rolled the loose change in his house to donate towards the purchase of a StopGap ramp. This gift was matched by the Head of School and the new ramp was put in place over the summer. Ever since it was installed, we have watched with pride as the ramp has ushered in so many community members to our Chapel, adding to the inclusive atmosphere of our school.
Submitted by Iris Glaser, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Leo Baeck Day School.
Luke Anderson, the founder of StopGap Foundation, shared some of the barriers he faces in a wheelchair in the early stages of this exploration of accessibility.
Students then conducted audits of a local public library and of our school, recording and scoring measures of accessibility.
Students created braille signage for key areas like our washrooms and office to assist visitors with wayfinding.