As communities of faith, empowering the inclusion of all who seek connection to Divinity is one of the greatest tasks to which we are called. More than kindness or even obligation, however, this participation benefits us all by enriching our community. While inclusion may involve infrastructure changes and various other accommodations, it starts with a collective passion to tear down the physical, emotional, and spiritual barriers that stand between us.
Capitalizability LLC and the Igniting Inclusion Initiative are proud to offer a variety of tools and resources to help faith communities embrace inclusion:
Pulpit Addresses for All Faiths
Youth of Faith Inclusion Address
Inclusion in Action Workshop
Inclusion Consulting for Faith Communities
Faith Community Facilities Assessment
Jewish Workshops
Workshops for Non-Jewish Faith Communities
Distance Products
Pulpit Addresses for All Faiths
Every faith-based community is, first and foremost, a community. We are strengthened in our lives and faith by the people who join with us for worship, fellowship, or other programs. Through Capitalizability LLC’s Igniting Inclusion initiative, we would love to come and ignite an excitement and hunger in your congregation for the possibilities that are opened up by embracing inclusion. Though first embraced on Jewish pulpits, Igniting Inclusion’s principles of universal inclusion resonate and applicable for any faith that recognizes the power of community. Let us join you for a talk, sermon, or workshop, and spark that discussion in your community, or help fan the flames if it has already begun.
Youth of Faith Inclusion Address
Similar to an Igniting Inclusion pulpit speech, but tailored to your youth population. You can see an example of this sort of speech, in the keynote that Matan gave at NFTY convention in February 2015. Here however, the Q&A would transition to an in-depth collaboration with the kids to figure out how they can be the types of catalysts for inclusion, which teens are uniquely suited to.
Inclusion in Action Workshop
This workshop is best with either the committee or set of individuals who will be/are handling inclusion efforts within the congregation. The goal quite simply, is to hammer out a strategy and timeline for moving the ball forward. While any congregation or organization that spends the time and resources to bring Capitalizability and the Igniting Inclusion in is committed to the idea of real action, making the transition from intent to action can be a challenge. Whether looking to start that process, or planning the next steps of a process already underway, having an outside perspective can be invaluable
Inclusion Consulting for Faith Communities
Commitment, excitement, and faith can only take us so far. In order to implement ideas of inclusion, the community has to come together and make it happen. For the last several years, Capitalizability LLC’s Igniting Inclusion initiative has been working with Jewish communities to create and implement concrete community-based inclusion plans through practical workshops and consulting. Those service are now being made available to all communities.
Faith Community Facilities Assessment
The physical inclusion needs of religious spaces are unique, and accessibility is vital for building a community that is truly inclusive. This assessment will identify areas of potential improvement, along with providing solution options within the fiscal, operative, and spiritual needs of the community.
Jewish Workshops
There are currently two Igniting Inclusion workshops rooted in the precepts of the Jewish faith, one that derives the principles of Universal Inclusion from the Torah by looking at the story of Moses, and another that demonstrates the precursors of Universal Inclusion in a Talmudic treatment of disability. Any of the programs on this page also work well with the Jewish audience and can be specially infused with Jewish values.
Workshops for Non-Jewish Faith Communities
There are not currently any Igniting Inclusion workshops for faiths other than Judaism, but the seeds of universal inclusion can be found in many, if not all faiths. Matan Koch, the principal of Capitalizability LLC and Igniting Inclusion has a degree in religion from Yale University and is eager to work with your clergy and lay leadership to develop a workshop based on the principles of your faith and community.
Distance Products
Captilizability LLC knows that is not always financially or logistically practical to bring a presenter or consultant to your community. For that reason, several remote and teleconference offerings are currently in development. Those include:
- Mail order workshops in DVD format or digital access
- Video-conference trainings and group discussions
- Tele/Video consulting services
- Group study guides