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Neurodivergence and inclusion in the Jcom

An autistic Jewish school graduate, a parent and an educator discuss how inclusive our schools really are
The Jewish Independent
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Neurodivergence panel

Clockwise from top left Ben Strum, Talya Bassin, Deborah Stone, David Opat (TJI composite)

Published: 2 September 2026

Last updated: 2 September 2026

Earlier this year, a Jewish school parent of a neurodivergent child wrote an article in The Jewish Independent arguing that
neurodivergent children are being quietly excluded from Jewish schools.  

The experience of this parent clearly hit a chord. Some responded with examples of Jewish spaces that welcome disabled young people. Others endorsed the writer and shared their own experiences of exclusion or marginalisation.

To explore the issue further, The Jewish Independent invited an autistic graduate, a parent and an educator to join a panel discussion with Editor-in-chief Deborah Stone.

Ben Strum is an alumnus of Emanuel School and an emerging queer and Autistic documentary filmmaker; Talya Bassin is Project Coordinator and Therapeutic Case Manager for the Orly Youth Programs at Lighthouse Foundation, where she works to strengthen support for vulnerable Jewish children, young people and families, and is the parent of a neurodivergent child. David Opat is a psychologist and Vice-Principal (Student Wellbeing) at The King David School.

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