![The Autistic Rabbi(nical Student) | Mati [he/they]'s Avatar](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/avatar/plain/did:plc:blgmpcfnbdzsrxtjox2hqar2/bafkreiaik4o27amuxtkimkpcgopp37tpism2elycxt55yz4daqezkf2irq)
@autisticrabbi
neuroqueer disabled af rabbi in training 🕍 disability & neurodiversity educator + consultant 👨🦯 budding academic talmudist 📚 mystic of the normal ♾️ #AuDHD #POTS #Dyspraxia ♿️ theautisticrabbi.com also @theautisticcoach.bsky.social
Join me on Sundays for the Jewish Autism Network’s free online discussion group.
This coming Sunday we will be looking at the concept of madness in the Jewish tradition.
www.theautisticcoach.com/autism-discu...
A little intro to me for those who are new here!
I’m Matthew and I’m an autistic peer-support coach and educator
I’ve been supporting my autistic comrades since 2006
I was identified autistic when I was 3, but only really came to understand autism in a neuro-affirming way when I was in my 20’s
the point of torah is love
if you don't get that - what ARE you getting out of it?
Good thing some US colleges are closing their Religious Studies departments—definitively not “useful” at all or an area of expertise that might be relevant for understanding our present…
we survived “jews did 9/11” and we’ll survive this bullshit too
beyond inclusion - disability, neurodivergence, and jewish leadership - two session training - our goal: to move beyond surface level inclusion and examien the culture of our communities more honestly - for rabbis, rabbinical students, cantors, cantorial students, jewish professionals,a nd board members. theautisticrabbi.com
I'm working REALLY hard on trying to make the Jewish community a more inclusive place for autistic and other disabled members of our community.
Please share my upcoming seminar with your rabbi, synagogue staff, board members, and leaders.
www.theautisticrabbi.com/seminars
Come join us!
Lateral ableism is harming the autistic community - my latest piece - NO PAYWALL
A REMINDER THAT AUTISTIC WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO NOT RECEIVE A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS.
ARE MORE LIKELY TO NOT RECEIVE SUPPORT.
ARE MORE LIKE TO BE THE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE
Autistic burnout and binge eating are often connected.
But not for the reasons people assume.
It’s not always about “self-control.”
It’s about a nervous system that has been pushed past capacity.
When you’re burned out you interoception gets less pronounced - your regulation goes out the window.
Internalised ableism doesn’t stay internal.
If we don’t examine it, it turns outward.
And very often, it turns outward toward autistic people with greater support needs.
That’s where lateral ableism begins.
Most of us grew up in environments that taught us one thing very clearly:
Thread 🧵🧶🪡
Shabbat shalom holy siblings
Come learn with me this April!
How many members of your community were missing from Purim this year?
Let's make it less year by making your community more inclusive.
The joys of riding the Paris Métro while looking Jewish.
A man approached me, claiming that Jews have and are continuing to destroy Europe and the Middle East.
He said that Hitler was a great man, a proud European, and a friend of the Middle East.
Unironically told that inclusion means letting autistic kids hand out Siddurs once a month.
Are you a rabbi, cantor, or other Jewish community leader?
Do you want to learn about what inclusion looks like from an actual autistic person in the community?
I'm an autistic rabbinical student and educator and my new seminar is just for you.
Please share.
www.theautisticrabbi.com/seminars
I’m hosting a free online space for autistic Jews to get together and shmooze about self advocacy
Please share!
www.theautisticcoach.com/autism-discu...
How many members of your community were missing from Purim this year?
Let's make it less year by making your community more inclusive.
do you want to support your fellow autistic comrades in a professional capacity?
our next intake begins in May
www.theautisticcoach.com/the-autistic...
I’ve lived under fire, nonstop gunfire, bombs, and air raids.
Constant fear.
It left me with my PTSD.
Something impotent needs to be said…
Independence is treated as the gold standard of autistic adulthood.
But independence is mostly a myth.
Everyone who is “independent” is supported by someone, something, or a structure that makes it possible.
Money.
Health.
Family.
Technology.
Invisible labour.
In the Purim story, Esther hides her identity.
Not because she’s ashamed of being who she is - but because being herself isn’t safe yet.
It reminds me a lot of autistic masking.
And it’s exhausting.
Indeed, I couldn’t care less about the wall as a thing - I don’t connect to it. But it’s the point of it within the context of Israel and criminalising liberal Jewish practice
JLM a toujours été antisémite ? Je ne m'y attendais pas.
A dream, I suppose.
Meanwhile, me and others, will continue to build our vibrant and loving communities based on TORAH.
Communities where we are, wherever that may be.
They played the game thinking that somehow we could convince the Israeli Government and the Ultra Orthodox that we are real and valuable.
I have never played that game - it’s always been a farce.
Why did they do this?
This new law isn’t anything new.
It’s just the end of the bs game we’ve been playing.
Progressive leaders are suddenly offended and upset.
But they’ve known this was the case since the beginning.
My home community in Tel Aviv isn’t allowed to observe Kabbalat Shabbat, unless its before Shabbat.
Reform rabbis are never referred to with their titles.
Our synagogues violently attacked and never protected.
Diaspora Jews and Progressive Jews are seen as nothing more than an ATM for the State.
Our money is needed - but o our humanity is never acknowledged, our Torah rejected and despised.
NONE OF THIS IS NEW.