The J-RVA Inclusion Task Force in partnership with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and Friendship Circle is thrilled to offer a series of workshops and trainings on a variety of mental health topics specifically geared for Jewish community professionals and their lay leadership.

Each workshop will be offered live via virtual platform with experts in the field and time for Q&A.

Community Without Walls - Tuesday, January 26 @ 8-9 p.m.
Led by Shelly Christensen

Shelley will lead a conversation about how synagogues and Jewish organizations can support community members with disabilities and mental health conditions to fully participate in programs, services, events, education, and social opportunities.

 

Shelly Christensen, MA is a pioneer in the Jewish disability inclusion movement and an international speaker, author and consultant. Her new book is From Longing to Belonging--A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community.  Shelly co-founded Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) in 2009 and facilitates the annual February initiative. She directed the award-winning Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities in Minneapolis for 13 years. Shelly has contributed to many Jewish and interfaith inclusion initiatives including the Ruderman Chabad Inclusion Initiative. She is co-host of Everyone’s Welcome—A Fresh Conversation About Disability webinar series. Shelly and her husband Rick are the proud parents of three sons, one of whom lives with a disability.