Disability and Jewish Social Justice

With Rabbi Julia Watts Belser
June 9–13 & June 22, 2025 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. PT (Remote)
Part of the Certificate in Jewish Studies and Social Justice (JSSJ)
Apply Now - REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 23

Build a more just Jewish future—one that honors the dignity and diversity of all bodies and minds.

This graduate-level course invites students into deep, transformative learning at the intersection of disability justice and Jewish social thought. Taught by renowned scholar and activist Rabbi Julia Watts Belser, the course brings classical Jewish texts into conversation with the lived experiences of disabled people and contemporary disability movements.

Together, we’ll explore how ableism intersects with racism, antisemitism, misogyny, queerphobia, fatphobia, and more—and examine how Jewish communities can reshape our norms around behavior, time, space, and belonging.

Whether you're a Jewish educator, rabbi, board member, or activist—this course will challenge, inspire, and equip you to create accessible, spiritually alive spaces rooted in justice and equity.

What You’ll Learn

• How to identify and resist ableism in Jewish and justice spaces

• Tools for creating inclusive spiritual and communal practices

• Theological and political insights from Jewish tradition and disability activism

• Real-world strategies to transform community culture and access norms

Open to All—No USF Enrollment Required
A limited number of small scholarships are available for queer, trans, and BIPOC students. To inquire, contact Program Director Rabbi Chel Mandell at crmandell@usfca.edu.

This course is part of the nation’s only graduate certificate program that brings Jewish studies and social justice into full dialogue, grounded in systemic JEDI values—justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Learn more at usfca.edu/jssj.