Let me get all the sporting news out of the way first:

• Mazel tov to Deni Avdija on being chosen for the NBA All-Star Game. Deni is having a great season for the Trail Blazers and is the first Israeli ever selected for the All-Star game. We know he will make our city proud!
   
• Today, at 11:00 a.m., the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will begin with the Opening Ceremonies. I am sure we can recognize and appreciate the years of training and dedication that these athletes put into their chosen sport. As my family knows, I typically only cry at happy events -- my tears flow every time someone wins a medal in recognition of their achievement. Here is an article about the Jewish athletes in the Games.
   
• Who is your pick for Sunday’s Super Bowl? Feel free to reply to this email and let me know. I just hope for a good game that is close to the end. We have two Jewish Federation employees who are from New England and have lived here for 30+ years and are also Seahawks' fans. Their two favorite teams are in the game so they cannot lose. (FYI -- There have been 18 Jews who have played in the Super Bowl and five Jewish owners who have won the big game.)
   

Jewish tradition states:
“Teach each person according to their own way.” (Proverbs 22:6).

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), when Jewish communities worldwide raise awareness and champion the rights of all Jews to be accepted and included in all aspects of Jewish life like anyone else. Inclusion asks us to recognize that every individual’s path is different, and that some journeys require more guidance, more patience, and more collective care than others. We are aware of the increasing needs, strengths, opportunities, and challenges of individuals with disabilities in our community, as well as ensuring our community is as inclusive of individuals with disabilities and their families as possible.

During JDAIM, it is our goal to expand access and engagement, deepening inclusion in all aspects of Jewish life. We want to create “true belonging,” moving beyond just awareness to ensure people with disabilities are valued, supported, and empowered. We want to move from “calling out” to “calling in” to the work of accessibility as an organizational value for all times. We want others to understand and overcome stigma, biases, and stereotypes. We are here to advocate alongside people with disabilities and mental health conditions for their civil rights. And, maybe most importantly, “Nothing about us without us,” ensuring that disabled voices and perspectives are included in decision-making.

There is an ongoing effort in the Jewish community to include Jews with disabilities in all aspects of Jewish life, driven by the desires of families with children of all ages, people with disabilities themselves, professionals, advocates and private philanthropy. That’s the good news. The unfortunate news is that our inclusion efforts may not be going far enough.

Steven M. Eidelman, Professor at the University of Delaware and Faculty Director of The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities wrote:

"Inclusion is part values and attitude, part law, part skillset and part funding. Values and attitudes are perhaps the most challenging thing to change of the four. To fully include people with disabilities, our communities must see them as valued participants. Not as recipients of tzedek (justice), nor as part of tikkun olam (healing the world), but as members of a community, valued for whatever contributions they make. All people have gifts and talents and have something to contribute to the strengthening of the Jewish community worldwide. Exclusion and segregation weaken our community and put families at risk of disengaging from their community."

I am proud of how seriously our community takes this issue. Organizations and programs at our Jewish day schools, Jewish overnight and day camps, Jewish Family and Child Service, Kehillah Housing, our synagogues, MJCC, additional agencies, and programs we support in Israel all go above and beyond.

Like everything, however, more work needs to be done. Additional inclusion training is needed. Same with additional funding if we are to provide creative programming, necessary staff, and to make our facilities fully physically accessible. 

I am grateful to our community for working hard to make sure ALL Jews are welcome and can participate fully.

Some exciting upcoming events:

Portland State University’s Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies presents its 21st Annual Gus and Libby Solomon Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) will speak on “Church and State, Politics and Faith: Why We Need the Constitutional Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson and the Ethical Wisdom of Rabbi Hillel Today.” Please register here.

The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is once again presenting the Portland Jewish Film Festival. Running from February 24 – March 1, 2026, this year's festival highlights films that focus on identity, memory, conflict, care, and shared humanity. The slate features international award contenders, deeply personal documentaries, and visionary works that expand what Jewish storytelling can mean today. Screenings will be held at PAM CUT's Whitsell Auditorium and Tomorrow Theater as well as Cinema 21. Individual tickets and festival passes are on sale now, including options for virtual screenings – click here.

This is also the season to register for summer camp, receive a One Happy Camper incentive grant, consider a teen Israel experience, apply for a college scholarship, enroll in a Jewish day school for next year, and more.

For those interested, here is a recording of a special briefing on "What's Next for Iran" from yesterday. It is worth the listen.

Finally, remember to block your calendar on August 30 for an incredible day of fun and pride in our Jewish community. Details are coming soon.

Shabbat shalom.