*From Disability to Determination: What Israel Taught 1,000 Pastors*
By Josh AronsonI am currently writing this from Israel, where I have spent the last few days covering a delegation of one thousand Christians and pastors visiting the Holy Land.I spoke to many of them during this time. When I shared my personal story—how Israel helped me succeed, how I became a journalist for one of the country’s top newspapers, and how I was selected for the “Voice of the People” Council—their faces lit up.I told them simply: I would never have gotten here if not for Israel.These visitors, many of whom are deeply invested in social welfare, love this land. But when they heard that this place they love is also a global leader in helping people with disabilities, it gave them a profound sense of joy.*A Shadow of the Past*
To understand the light of today, we must remember the darkness of yesterday. A month ago, I stood on the hallowed, tragic turf of Auschwitz. I stood there in front of 200 politicians from across Europe, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.I placed a wreath in honor of those with disabilities who were murdered in the Holocaust.Over 300,000 people were killed by the Nazis for the “crime” of being different.This week, we mark the International Day of Inclusion for People with Disabilities. But why do we still need such a day? The simple answer is that we still need to remind the world, day after day, that we exist.*A Shift in Terminology*
In my work, including my efforts with the “Voice of the People,” I am pushing for a change in language. I want to move away from “people with disabilities” to the term used by our friends in the Abraham Accords, specifically in Dubai: “People of Determination.”Why the change? Because our existence is still in danger. It is in danger from dismissal.Society often dismisses what we have gone through, what we need, and—most importantly—what we can contribute.There is a saying that roughly translates to: “The only thing standing between you and your goal is your mind.” The reason for days of remembrance and inclusion is to break down that mental barrier in the public consciousness.We must change the perception of what is possible.The Israeli Model of Inclusion
In Israel, we are seeing a shift in lifestyle and perspective led by our leadership.Our President, Isaac Herzog, symbolizes the root of inclusion. Just this week, he received an award from Shalva, a renowned center for disability care and inclusion, honoring his lifelong commitment to this cause.Then there is Major General (Res.) Doron Almog, the Chairman of the Jewish Agency. When his son was born and diagnosed with severe autism and developmental disabilities, Doron realized there wasn’t enough help available.He didn’t give up. Instead, he opened a village—ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran. Today, it is one of the most influential and incredible rehabilitative villages for people with disabilities in the world.This is what I mean by “People of Determination.” It changes the mindset from looking at a person with pity to looking at them with respect.*Not Charity, But Strategy*
A few years ago, I visited another country to consult on disability policy. I told them about Israeli law: if a company has over 20 employees, they are required to hire someone with disabilities.They told me, “We have such a law, but employers prefer to just pay the fine and let the disabled person stay home.”This is immoral. By keeping people at home, we deny them a chance at life, and we deny society their talents.
Israel proves that inclusion is an economic asset.Look at Mobileye. As a social experiment, they hired a group of people on the autism spectrum to annotate visual data for autonomous driving.They gave them six months to finish the work. The team finished in one month, with perfect accuracy.
Mobileye realized they were onto something. They built a whole infrastructure for neurodivergent talent.Eventually, Mobileye was sold to Intel for over $15 billion—the biggest exit in Israeli history. Inclusion didn’t slow them down; it fueled their success.*The Final Goal*
next week, I will be traveling across the USA to speak about my life as someone on the autistic spectrum. My message to those 1,000 pastors this week is the same message I will take to America.I asked the pastors: “When you go back to your countries, tell your communities that Israel builds people with disabilities. Israel creates opportunities. Israel makes leaders out of us.”A while back, after a lecture at a synagogue, someone asked me how they could help. My answer was simple: Visibility.

We must do this until the day comes when we no longer need an International Day of Inclusion.That will be a day to celebrate—because it will mean that people are finally, fully, naturally included.Shabbat Shalom