News
Ray Rivlin is inspired by her disabled son to come up with a more inclusive Haggadah
September 16, 2010 10:21
By, Candice Krieger
1 min read
ByCandice Krieger, Candice Krieger
Dublin's Ray Rivlin has created her own simplified version of the Haggadah.
Inspired by her son Alan, who is a resident of the Leeds Rainbow Project, Mrs Rivlin decided to modify the Haggadah to make it more accessible to people with learning difficulties.
She tells People: "During Pesach last year I took the second Seder for the residents and simplified it for them. They seemed to like it and it struck me that it would be a good idea to write it down."
Alan, 48, was diagnosed with brain damage aged one year and 10 months. He received extensive home therapy through an American institute, which helped him progress, but he remained in need of full-time care.
He lived in Jewish care homes in London and Manchester before Mrs Rivlin heard of the Rainbow Project in Leeds. She says the Haggadah could be used for other groups of people. "It certainly has applications for the elderly and for people with poor concentration, and for those who perhaps don't want to do the whole Seder service. I am hoping people will be interested in it."
A professional author, Mrs Rivlin has had six books published including A boy Called Alan, which documents Alan's childhood and therapy.
She also wrote Shalom Ireland, a social history chronicling the Jews of Ireland, who came to the country from the late 19th century onwards.
She writes for the junior section of Mishpacha, a Jewish family weekly magazine.