Lily Coltoff

Merging My Judaism and Disability Advocacy

By Lily Coltoff | February 12, 2018

I’ve met member of the House Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), networked with RespectAbilityUSA president Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi and practiced my ASL with program director of Gallaudet University Hillel Jacob Salem, the first-ever Hillel director who is Deaf. One year ago, as a freshman at American University, I could scarcely imagine having any…

Teaching Disability Inclusion One Shabbat at a Time

By Lily Coltoff | August 23, 2017

My initial reaction after the fact was relief. After months of planning, weeks of searching for the perfect readings, and a few crazy days of racing around like a chicken with its head cut off, I had finally crafted my first Friday night Shabbat service. And thankfully, it was a success. Earlier this year, as…