Dear Shelly,I am delighted that you are making yourself available as a consultant to others outside of Minneapolis/St Paul, building on the wonderful work you have done there. The Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities is not only a great resource for Jewish communities but also a model for other faith networks as well. You have also served as a valuable contributor to the AAIDD Religion and Spirituality Division. I have no hesitancy at all in referring people to you, as I have done a number of times. From time to time, I have others ask me if I know you. I appreciate your invaluable work within Jewish communities but also the way you contribute to interfaith and interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
Bill Gaventa, M.Div.
Coordinator, Community and Congregational Supports
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
Shelly Christensen understands the challenges that sacred communities encounter as they seek to value and include children and adults with disabilities and their families. At the same time, she is a champion of people with disabilities who seek spiritual and religious access. Shelly has worked diligently to bring people together to understand that meaningful inclusion in one’s congregation is just as important as meaningful education, employment and family life.
Ginny Thornburgh
Program Director
AAPD Interfaith Initiative
American Association of People with Disabilities
We are taught in Pirke Avot 2:5 “Do not separate yourself from the community.” Exclusion is a form of separation. When we exclude others, we are guilty of forcing them to separate themselves from our communities.
Inclusion is a welcoming way to make sure that no Jew separates themselves from the larger community. Shelly Christensen is an expert guide in helping the Jewish community extend our warm embrace.
As Senior Advisor on Disability Issues for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, I have worked with Shelly
—through the annual Washington, DC area “Opening the Gates of Torah” inclusion conference;
—cataloging programs for and helping to promote the annual Jewish Disability Awareness Month;
—establishing the Reform Movement’s Access to Lifelong Jewish Education committee.
If we want to make changes in our community in order to include Jews with disabilities, we must + by opening the eyes of Jews without disabilities and help them understand that they have to change their attitudes. There is a saying in the disability community that goes, “Before ramping buildings, you’ve got to ramp attitudes.”
Shelly will teach you how to do both intelligently and gracefully.
Rabbi Lynne Landsberg
Senior Advisor on Disability Issues
Religious Action Center
Washington DC
As Minneapolis has moved toward being a more inclusive community, Shelly Christensen has led the way. She created the Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities, a blueprint for creating an inclusive community, and continues to be a leader, coordinating all activities for Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month and being the source for information about inclusion. As the Program Manager for the Minneapolis Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities for nearly ten years, Shelly has built effective working relationships with Jewish and secular disability organizations, increasing the capacity of the Jewish community to serve people with disabilities.
Mari Forbush
Chief Program Officer
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis
Minnetonka, MN
Based on her personal and professional experience in the world of disabilities, Shelly Christensen offers a mix of inspiration and practical suggestions for creating welcoming and inclusive congregations and organizations. Shelly understands the desires of other parents to create opportunities for their child’s active involvement in religious life, and she calls upon her years as an inclusion services coordinator to develop realistic strategies for supporting that involvement. With a keen understanding that every person with a disability and every setting that seeks to become inclusive require an individualized plan, Shelly works with staff and lay leaders to fashion an appropriate disability support system for each location. With Shelly’s help, every congregation and organization can open their doors to people with disabilities to become truly inclusive.
Becca Hornstein
Executive Director
Council for Jews with Special Needs
Phoenix AZ
Co-Chairman
Jewish Special Education International Consortium
When I think of Shelly I think: motivation, leadership, creativity, energy and passion. She’s a national treasure – helping spiritual communities to assure that all members have opportunities for meaning and full participation. Shelly is a national leader – supporting sacred communities to open their hearts and doors to fully include people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan. She is a whirlwind of creativity, passion and ideas – all grounded in a heartfelt and unwavering commitment to collaboration to achieve solutions that fit.
Nancy Weiss
Co-Director
National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities
University of Delaware
