[NFBJ] National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention Ideas--small suggestions from Michael Levy

[mlevy at verse-onality.com]

It should be in all formats.  If I had my druthers, JBI should also have it on a recording that you could dial into.

I tend to forget that there are newly blinded people who can’t read ANY FORMAT!  They are STUNNED by their impending or actual loss of vision.

The first thing they will learn to do is use a telephone with their fingers or by voice dictation.

What do you think?  I value your opinion.

ML

Yad Hachazakah
www.yadempowers.org<http://www.yadempowers.org>

516-295-8999


Sharon Shapiro Lacks
Board Chairman


From: Stewart Prost <sprost82 at gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 3:22 PM
To: mlevy at verse-onality.com
Cc: NFB in Judaism <nfbj at nfbnet.org>; Tracy Soforenko <tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>; Rabbi Lenny Sarko <rabbi at rabbisarko.org>; Rachel Bodek <rybodek at gmail.com>; Dale HELTZER <deheltzer at msn.com>; Cohn, Gabi <gabrielle.cohn at huc.edu>; Rachel Balali <rahel.Balali0863 at gmail.com>; Andrew Goodman <agoodman at jbilibrary.org>
Subject: Re: National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention Ideas--small suggestions from Michael Levy

Michael,
Thank you for your email. I know that Andrew Goodman is copied on this email. The idea of an accessible brochure listing all services and programs would be good. Should it be in all formats such as large print,audio, braille, and electronic?

It is my understanding that JBI Library will be in the exhibit hall July 8, and 9.  That was the case last year.

As far as a high holiday program during the convention, the challenge would be finding a time to hold it given the schedule of the convention. Also, to me, it seems that discussing the high holidays in the middle of Tamuz seems a bit early to me.  I am wondering if a Zoom program taking place either at the end of July or the first part of August would be better. This may be something that JBI does or could be done by the NFB and Judaism. If our group does this, which it might be a good idea, I would want your help in putting it together.

I think you have some good ideas. I appreciate your input.


Shabbat Shalom,



Stewart Prost, Chair, NFB in Judaism
Phone: 757-572-6891
Fax: 757-210-7504
Email: sprost82 at gmail.com<mailto:sprost82 at gmail.com>


On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM mlevy at verse-onality.com<mailto:mlevy at verse-onality.com> <mlevy at verse-onality.com<mailto:mlevy at verse-onality.com>> wrote:
JBI has SO many new initiatives that it will be hard to share all of them in one session.

Perhaps JBI could provide an accessible brochure.  It would discuss each JBI program.

Attendees might enjoy a JBI exhibitor booth.  It would be convenient to apply for JBI services “on the spot” in New Orleans.

Lastly, we with disabilities know that to maximize our High Holiday integration into our synagogues and communities, we must begin to prepare in July.  Perhaps Andrew or another JBI staff person could have an in-person or hybrid session on this topic, even if it were concurrent with other NFB activities.

Thanks as always for your openness to ideas.

Rabbi Michael Levy
Yad Hachazakah
www.yadempowers.org<http://www.yadempowers.org>

Sharon Shapiro Lacks
Board Chairman

.

From: Stewart Prost <sprost82 at gmail.com<mailto:sprost82 at gmail.com>>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2025 11:55 AM
To: NFB in Judaism <nfbj at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbj at nfbnet.org>>; Tracy Soforenko <tracy.soforenko at gmail.com<mailto:tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>>; Rabbi Lenny Sarko <rabbi at rabbisarko.org<mailto:rabbi at rabbisarko.org>>; Rachel Bodek <rybodek at gmail.com<mailto:rybodek at gmail.com>>; Dale HELTZER <deheltzer at msn.com<mailto:deheltzer at msn.com>>; Cohn, Gabi <gabrielle.cohn at huc.edu<mailto:gabrielle.cohn at huc.edu>>; mlevy at verse-onality.com<mailto:mlevy at verse-onality.com>
Cc: Rachel Balali <rahel.Balali0863 at gmail.com<mailto:rahel.Balali0863 at gmail.com>>; Andrew Goodman <agoodman at jbilibrary.org<mailto:agoodman at jbilibrary.org>>
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention Ideas

Greetings all,
I hope everyone had a happy and joyous Purim!  Our national convention is coming up in a few months.  The convention runs from July 8-13, 2025 at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans, LA.  (Convention details can be found at www.nfb.org/convention<http://www.nfb.org/convention>.) I am requesting that our meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 7-9 PM Central Daylight Time.  With the recent changes and rebranding of JBI Library, I plan to have them speak about all the programs and activities going on there.  What other topics, groups, or agencies would all of you be interested in? Let me know as soon as possible so that I can mention them in the proposed convention agenda item.

Last year, we had a Shabbat Celebration that took place early Friday evening.  I think we had 19 people attending and it was well received.  Do we want to do this again?  Keep in mind that Shabbat starts on Friday July 12. during the convention.  Any program that takes place cannot start any earlier than 6 PM.  Also, if we do this again, I would appreciate people pitching in for any costs for such items as wine and challah.  Please let me know what you all think?
Finally, are there ideas for programs or speakers between now and the convention?  We have sone time and I would like to hold at least one virtual meeting before then.  I have some ideas but would like to hear from all of you.  Remember, this is your group!  I look forward to hearing from all of you!

--Shalom,
Stewart Prost, Chair, NFB in Judaism
Phone: 757-572-6891
Fax: 757-210-7504
Email: sprost82 at gmail.com<mailto:sprost82 at gmail.com>