More of the same, that’s for sure!

I was thinking about analogies for inclusion to help people understand the intentional nature of change thinking and how to really get results. If you think that becoming an inclusive congregation is strictly intuitive, and happens without much dedication and effort it’s time that I fall back on something I know as well as inclusion, maybe better, as an analogy: Losing weight.

From the age of 16 I’ve been on some sort of weight loss program. The one I’ve lost the most on teaches  how to approach  weight loss much less as a diet and much more like a lifestyle change for good. What I’ve learned all these many years of going from being the “fattest woman on my block” as determined by my first obstetrician when I packed on ten pounds in one month (I fired him when I had my next child) to wearing a size 6 in a fashion show (stayed size 6 for about 2 weeks because I thought I knew everything there was to know about staying a size 6) is simply this:

Just because you decide to do something doesn’t make it happen. You really have to identify the behavior that keeps you from shedding pounds and inches and then plan what you are going to do to achieve the goal of losing the weight.

I used to be really good at losing weight until after my last child was born. Until recently I was still carrying around that postpartum weight. Did I mention that the baby will be 22 years old next month?

Every Monday it was “I’ll start today.” But I didn’t have a plan to put those good intentions into action.

When I have a plan things usually work out. When I use the “crap-shoot” strategy I only hope that things work out. Kind of like eating your way through our national Turkey and Pie Fest and praying that you still have a weight loss at your next weigh in.

Jewish Learning Venture a leading Jewish agency in Philadelphia,, recognizes the importance of creating plans of action to achieve results. They invited me to work with three synagogues in Philadelphia through a unique program, the Lasko Inclusion Network.

These three congregations have committed to creating a vision and a work plan to become more inclusive of people with disabilities and their families. How they will do this is detailed in my book, Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities. The congregations will evaluate current practices and attitudes though a comprehensive and critically important process and then create  a thorough workplan based on several goals for the next 12 months.

I applaud them for their commitment, and also look forward to seeing how the lives of children, teens and adults who have disabilities and their families feel that they truly belong. This is Tachlis—the actions match the intention in all three synagogues.

I want to thank Debbie Gettes, Rosalind Spiegel, Elana Rivel and Rabbi Phil Warmflash for being partners in inclusion and bringing me to Philadelphia  to serve as   trainer and coach for the Lasko Inclusion Network.

It takes great leadership to guide change in the broad community. It also takes commitment by funders as well as the willingness by synagogue professionals and lay leaders to do the work to make real and meaningful changes. And it takes a plan to guide those good intentions. It’s the only thing that really works in the end. Take my word for it!