Disability & Belonging: Jubilee event seeks to build communities of hope

On October 21, as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Newark Archdiocese’s Office for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities will co-sponsor a screening of the documentary Intelligent Lives. The film spotlights three young adults with intellectual disabilities who “challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce,” according to the organizers.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito and Rabbi Avi Friedman will introduce the film. Following the screening, a conversation will focus on affirming the abilities of persons with disabilities and exploring ways to foster meaningful participation and a true sense of belonging in our communities.

“Individuals with disabilities and their families look to be seen, noticed, and appreciated for the human dignity they possess,” said Bishop Michael Saporito. He added that the event will be a “call to action” for faith communities to “encourage and allow the giftedness of those with disabilities to be developed and sincerely appreciated.”

The Jubilee event is a collaboration of the Archdiocese of Newark and the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, has recorded a video message about the event that can be viewed at the end of this article.

Celebrating people as they are

Directed by award-winning documentarian Dan Habib, Intelligent Lives shares the journeys of Micah, Naomie, and Naieer, three individuals with intellectual disabilities who found success in the arts, education, and society. “As recently as 1975, (they) would not have had legal access to a public education,” Habib said.

The documentary was executive produced by Academy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper, who also serves as the film’s narrator. Cooper and his wife, Marianne Leone Cooper, had a son with cerebral palsy who was an honor student, poet, and activist. He died in 2005 at the age of 17.

Rabbi Friedman said that the film “reminds us to celebrate our loved ones and their amazing abilities as they are, instead of mourning some version of them that never existed.”

For Rabbi Avi Friedman, the Jubilee event is a personal affirmation of human dignity. “Twenty-five years ago, my wife gave birth to our son, Jonah,” he said. “The doctor eventually delivered the news as if there had been a death in the family.” A genetic counselor advised the couple to “celebrate” their son, however. “Ever since that day we have celebrated Jonah, and he has been our teacher about what is possible.”

Bringing communities together

“It’s wonderful that our Catholic Jubilee of Hope celebration will bring together Jewish and Catholic voices in unity of purpose and action, which uplifts human flourishing and life,” said Bishop Saporito. “At this time of deep division and open hatred, it’s a pure joy to come together in a spirit of hope and light a pathway of unity and possibility that those devoted to God can create human communities open to all,” he added.

Rabbi Friedman noted that the relationship between the Catholic and Jewish communities has grown significantly over the past 60 years, following the release of Pope Paul VI’s document Nostra Aetate (“In our time”) during the Second Vatican Council. He said that the pope “opened channels between Catholics and Jews that were previously inconceivable.”

“I am always excited to partner with the Catholic community because we share so many values and principles, but it’s easy to forget in today’s fragmented world unless we take opportunities like this one to come together,” Rabbi Friedman said.

Organizers said it is particularly fitting that the “Disability and Belonging” event is being held during the Jubilee Year of Hope, a time for building unity and providing tangible signs of hope to those who are marginalized.

“It will take intentionality and dedication rooted in faith and love to see our sisters and brothers as essential to the flourishing of our communities,” Bishop Saporito added. “Communities of faith have a beautiful chance to give witness by providing meaningful support and relationships to make this possible.”

“Disability and Belonging: An Interfaith Conversation About Building Communities of Hope” will be held on Tuesday, October 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in West Orange, NJ. Doors will open at 6:30 pm.

Visit HERE to learn more and to register or use the QR code below. All attendees must be registered beforehand.

Watch Cardinal Tobin’s video message about the event:

Featured image: Naieer is one of the individuals portrayed in the documentary Intelligent Lives screening on Oct. 21. (Still image courtesy LikeRightNow Films)