A first-of-its-kind resource guide for inclusive b'nai mitzvah celebrations. For too long, teens with special needs have been on the margins of the Jewish community. As for any child, their b'nai mitzvah should be a joyous time as they transition into adulthood and affirm their commitment to their community. A Different Spirit: Creating Meaningful B'nai Mitzvah for Children With Disabilities is designed to help clergy and families navigate creating a meaningful and inclusive celebration for all. This collection of essays includes inspiration and practical guidance on planning a celebration, managing accommodations and settings, and teaching children with special needs, as well as personal stories and a deep understanding of the concept of inclusion. Edited by Howard Blas, the director of the National Ramah Tikvah Network which provides inclusion and vocational training programs support for young adults with disabilities in camps, and Emmy-award-winning Ilana Trachtman, director of the acclaimed documentary Praying with Lior. This resource discusses planning for teens with: Autism - Anxiety and other mental health issues - Visual impairment - Deafness - Non- and minimal speech - Mobility challenges - Learning differences Featuring contributions by Jacob Artson, Daniella Bardack-Tarrab, Meir Yishai Barth, Rabbi Allison L. Berry, Shelly Christensen, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Wendy Elliott-Vandivier, Meredith Englander Polsky, Jennifer Fink, Elaine Hall, Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz, Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, Matan A. Koch, Serena Leigh Krombach, MA, MSEd, Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh, Jessica Leving Siegel, Batya Sperling-Milner, Dr. David Neufeld, Rebecca Redner, Arlene Remz, Rabbi Rebecca Schatz, Pamela Rae Schuller, Dr. Stephen Shore, Rabbanit Aliza Sperling, and Rebecca Wanatick. “Where was this book when my own children with disabilities approached their b’nai mitzvah? We had no road map and would have cherished the wisdom gathered here—the honest reflections, an abundance of practical tools, and generous stories from others who had walked this path before us. If you’re a parent preparing for your child’s b’nai mitzvah, or a clergy member or Hebrew school director or teacher seeking to understand what a child and their family need at this precious and sensitive time, this book is the companion you’ll be grateful to have by your side.” —Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses, Romemu, New York City “Howard Blas and Ilana Trachtman have given our Jewish community an extraordinary gift . A Different Spirit is a call to conscience, a wellspring of practical wisdom, and a celebration of every child’s sacred worth. It opens our hearts and imaginations to what b’nai mitzvah can—and must—be when we honor every soul as b’tzelem Elohim, created in the image of God. I am inspired and deeply grateful for this indispensable resource.” —Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City “Children with disabilities have too often not been included in bar and bat mitzvahs , leaving them and their families excluded from the synagogue community. This pioneering book is transformative. It declares not just that we can, but that we must include these children; and it offers a wealth of practical advice on how to make meaningful ceremonies for these children. This book will change lives, families, and communities.”  —Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, New York City “ A Different Spirit is an unparallelled resource for individuals, families, and professionals. And well beyond its practical value, it opens unimagined paths toward full spiritual inclusion and communal membership.” —Andrés Martin, MD, PhD, Riva Ariella Ritvo Professor, Yale School of Medicine “ This wonderful book is guided by a passionately and uncompromisingly held principle that there is simply no physical, cognitive, or psychological challenge that cannot be met, indeed, that has not already been met. [Blas and Trachtman] challenge us to recall and help us to embody an elemental truth of Jewish life: the Torah belongs to all of us. This book is a significant contribution to Jewish life for which we should all be grateful.” —Rabbi Shai Held, president of the Hadar Institute and author of Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life “This immensely accessible, useful book is an invaluable resource in making the message of b’tzelem Elohim a reality. It will be read with gratitude by parents, rabbis, educators, and the children themselves.” —Mark Oppenheimer, author of Thirteen and a Day: The Bar and Bat Mitzvah Across America “An extraordinarily important book that should be essential reading for synagogue and community leaders, educators, and truly, for everyone. It offers valuable insights, guidance, and comprehensive information to support families with a member with a disability as they navigate Jewish communal life, and it also deepens our sensitivity to becoming more inclusive in all aspects of our community.” —Debbie Niderberg,