May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time when we recognize and celebrate the contributions Jewish Americans have made to our country.
For Westchester Jewish Community Services, this month carries special meaning. “Our agency was founded by Jewish Americans whose values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) are woven into everything we do. Their legacy of care and support lives on in our daily work: comforting the vulnerable, supporting the isolated, and ensuring that dignity and opportunity are available to all.”
As we mark this heritage, we also reaffirm our commitment to stand against antisemitism, which sadly remains a reality, including in ways that have directly touched our community. Honoring our heritage also means standing strong and united in the face of hate, and ensuring that love, belonging, and respect define us.
Judith Heumann, often called the “mother of the disability rights movement,” is one of many Jewish Americans who has made a significant impact. Her life’s work resonates deeply with our agency’s mission. Judith, who passed away in 2023, contracted polio at age two and was told she would never walk. When her mother tried to enroll her in school, the principal refused, calling her a “fire hazard.” Undeterred, her mother fought for Judith’s right to an education. Later, when Judith herself sought to become a teacher in New York City, she passed every requirement but was barred because of a rule requiring teachers to be able to escort students down stairs in the event of an emergency. Judith sued and won. That victory sparked a lifetime of advocacy. She went on to found key organizations supporting disability rights, and eventually served as Assistant Secretary of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services during the Clinton Administration.
Judith once wrote, “Some people say that what I did changed the world. But really, I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it.”
Her words are a powerful reminder for us at WJCS. Every day, we support people who have been told what they can’t do, where they don’t belong, and who they cannot become. Like Judith, we refuse to accept those limits. Our work, whether in behavioral health, supporting people with disabilities, empowering youth and families, or offering comfort to Holocaust survivors, is about breaking down barriers. And yes, sometimes that means you make a fuss, advocating fiercely, speaking up boldly, and standing up relentlessly for those who rely on us.
As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, may Judith’s courage and legacy inspire each of us to continue our vital work and help every individual to shape a better, more just, and more compassionate world.
