Ruderman Family Foundation
Founded2002 (2002)
TypeInternational non-governmental organization
Region served
Worldwide
President
Jay Ruderman
Websiterudermanfoundation.org

The Ruderman Family Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, managed by the Ruderman family. The foundation operates in the US and in Israel in two main areas: inclusion of people with disabilities in society and strengthening the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community with the help of strategic philanthropy.

History

Jay Ruderman, founder

The Ruderman Family Foundation was established in 2002. Jay Ruderman is the president of the foundation, and his wife Shira is its executive director.[1] In 2006, the foundation opened an office in Israel.[2]

White papers

In March 2016, the Ruderman Family Foundation released a white paper, "Media coverage of law enforcement use of force and disability". It is an overview of media coverage from 2013 to 2015 of law enforcement's use of force against disabled individuals. The study was authored by historian David Perry and disabilities expert and advocate Lawrence Carter-Long. It concluded that disabled individuals make up a third to a half of individuals killed by law enforcement officers and many use of force cases, such as the deaths of Eric Garner, Kajieme Powell, and Freddie Gray. The authors wrote that "police have become the default responders to mental health calls" and yet they continue to use force to obtain compliance from suspects without first evaluating whether a suspect is capable of understanding and complying with verbal orders. They recommended new training for officers and requested that the media also report forms of disability discrimination when appropriate; "Disability is the missing word in media coverage of police misuse of force."[3][4][5]

The foundation's July 2016 white paper "On Employment of Actors with Disabilities in Television" revealed that people with disabilities are the most unrepresented minority in Hollywood. Despite making up nearly 20% of the US population, 95% of disabled characters on TV are portrayed by able-bodied actors. The report, co-authored by actor Danny Woodburn and Kristina Kopić, the foundation's Advocacy Content Specialist, surveyed hundreds of actors with visible and non-visible disabilities. Most worked less than once a year and felt they were discriminated against by casting agents and producers.[6][7][8]

Prior to the 2016 US presidential election, the foundation released its third white paper,[9] on voting accessibility for people with disabilities. The Government Accountability Office reported that in 2008, 73% of polling places had some potential accessibility barrier, while a Rutgers and Syracuse study determined that if voters with disabilities voted at the same rate as voters with the same demographics, but without disabilities, three million more people would have voted in the 2012 US presidential election. Co-written by Norman Ornstein, a political scientist at the American Enterprise Institute, the analysis focused on: insufficient poll worker training; access barriers to polls (including publicly available transportation); access barriers to elections material and registration material prior to elections; stigma (including against developmental and psychiatric disabilities); and limitations on resources available to election officials. The study was featured on Fox News[10] and covered by The Guardian[11] and Mic.[12]

In January 2017, a fourth white paper was released about the benefits of self-driving cars for people with disabilities. Written with Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE), the report concluded that autonomous vehicles could enable new employment opportunities for approximately two million people with disabilities, save $19 billion annually in healthcare expenditures, and provide $1.3 trillion in savings from productivity gains, fuel costs and accident prevention. Furthermore, the report emphasized the societal benefit for people with disabilities by allowing more individuals to fulfill civic responsibilities and exercise civil rights, as well as the impact people with disabilities can have in the legislative and regulatory discussions surrounding emerging transportation technologies. The piece was featured in a number of outlets including Metro,[13] Boston Herald,[14] Autotrader[15] and Curbed.[16]

A white paper released in August 2017 stated that people with non-apparent disabilities do not always receive the accommodations guaranteed to them under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with non-apparent disabilities were said to be suspended and criminalized at a disproportionately high rates, while over half of the incarcerated population of the United States suffered from mental illness. Another 19-31% had cognitive or learning disabilities.[17][18][19]

In September 2017, the Foundation launched the Ruderman TV Challenge, a call-to-action follow up to the Ruderman White Paper on the Employment of Actors with Disabilities in Television. It was found that only 2% of all television characters compared to the 20% of the US population is disabled, and that 95% of top TV show characters with disabilities are played by non-disabled performers. The challenge called for the creators of scripted television pilots to audition and cast more performers with disabilities.[20][21][22][23][24][25]

In April 2017, the Ruderman White Paper "Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders" examined mental health issues among first responders and their elevated rate of suicide. One study found that on average, police officers witness 188 critical incidents during their careers which can lead to mental illness. The paper lays out barriers that prevent first responders from accessing mental health services when coping with trauma.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]

Released in December 2018, this paper investigates the practice of imposing leaves of absence on students experiencing mental illness. The study grades the leave of absence policies of eight universities, none of which received higher than a D+. The paper also covered ethnographic aspects of the problem.[33][34][35]

Disability inclusion

On November 1, 2016, the foundation hosted a disability inclusion round table to address the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in film and TV. Panelists and participants included Marlee Matlin, RJ Mitte, Danny Woodburn, Micah Fowler, Orlando Jones, Jason Winston George, Robert David Hall, Scott Silveri, and Glen Mazzara.[36][37]

The Ruderman Family Foundation created a pledge for the entertainment industry, to encourage studios to increase their auditions of actors with disabilities for their productions. The pledge reads:

We recognize that disability is central to diversity, that the disability community comprises one of the largest minority groups in our country, and that people with disabilities face exclusion in front of and behind the camera. We understand that increasing auditions, no matter the size of the role, is a critical step towards achieving inclusion in the industry. We will continue to champion and encourage more auditions for actors and actresses with disabilities on television and film.

As of September 2021, the following studios have signed the pledge: NBCUniversal, CBS Entertainment Group, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures.[38]

Ruderman Prize in Inclusion

In 2012, the Ruderman Family Foundation launched the annual Ruderman Prize In Inclusion, which awards $50,000 to each of five companies and organizations around the world that operate innovative programs and provide services that foster the full inclusion of people with disabilities.[39]

Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion

The foundation has awarded the M.E.R. Award in Inclusion annually since 2014 to an individual who demonstrates outstanding accomplishment in the field of disability inclusion.

Caption text
YearRecipientDescriptionRef
2017 Marlee Matlin Oscar-winning actress and activist [40]
2018 Michael Phelps Olympic swimmer [41]
2019 Farrelly brothers Filmmakers [42]

Israel's relationship with the American Jewish Community

The foundation has worked to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community since 2011, when it first took a delegation of Israeli legislators to the United States for an educational tour of the Jewish community.[43] As of 2013, the foundation also takes Israeli journalists on similar tours.[44] In 2012 the foundation helped establish the Israel-US Knesset caucus. In 2013 the foundation partnered with the University of Haifa, opening the Ruderman Program for American Jewish studies, the first academic program of its kind in Israel.[45] In 2019 the foundation published a report with the Institute for National Security Studies about the ramifications of the relationship on Israel's national security.[46][47] During 2020 the foundation and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin hosted a special event highlighting the importance of the relationship.[48]

Controversies

In response to the release of the 2016 film Me Before You, the Foundation condemned the film's portrayal of disability, in which the protagonist—who is paralyzed—ends up committing suicide because he feels his life is not worth living: "To the millions of people with significant disabilities currently leading fulfilling, rich lives, [the film] posits that they are better off committing suicide."[49][50]

In the wake of pressure from Poland, the Foundation removed a video from YouTube posted on February 21, 2018, that was part of a campaign urging the United States to suspend its ties with Poland over the law that criminalizes blaming the Polish nation or state for German Nazi crimes.[51] The Foundation released a statement saying that "after a hugely successful campaign that went viral internationally and among American Jews and Israelis who have signed the petition — the Foundation was contacted by the Polish Jewish community and because of their concerns for their safety, we decided to halt the campaign."[52] The video was condemned by Jewish communities in Poland for using the phrase "Polish Holocaust," which was deemed false and hurtful,[53] as well as by the Israeli embassy in Poland.[54]

References

  1. ↑ "Jerusalem Post 50 Most Influential Jews: Number 46 - Jay and Shira Ruderman". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
  2. ↑ "Woman in a man's world: Ruderman says bold action will save Israel-Diaspora ties". The Times of Israel.
  3. ↑ "Half of People Killed at the Hands of Police Are Disabled". New York magazine. March 15, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Police Related Deaths: Mental Disability Victims Comprise Half Of Those Killed By Law Enforcement, Report Says". International Business Times. March 15, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ Perry, David M; Carter-Long, Lawrence (March 2016). "Media coverage of law enforcement use of force and disability". Ruderman Family Foundation.
  6. ↑ Butler, Bethonie (July 16, 2016). "Almost all disabled TV characters are played by able-bodied actors. Can we fix that?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  7. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 13, 2016). "Able-Bodied Actors Play 95% of Disabled Characters in Top 10 TV Shows, Says New Study". Variety. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  8. ↑ Woodburn, Danny; Kopić, Kristina (July 2016). "Employment of Actors with Disabilities in Television". Ruderman Family Foundation.
  9. ↑ "The Ruderman White Paper: Voting Accessibility For People With Disabilities". Ruderman Family Foundation. September 30, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  10. ↑ Rubin, Shoshana (November 3, 2016). "The hidden group of Americans still fighting for the right to vote". Fox News. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Why do one in seven US citizens still have to fight to vote?". The Guardian. November 1, 2016. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  12. ↑ Mic. "Report: Voters with disabilities are treated like "second-class citizens" at the polls". Mic. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  13. ↑ Toussaint, Kristin (January 17, 2017). "Self-driving cars could help employ 2M people with disabilities: Study". Metro. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Study: Self-driving cars will benefit disabled". www.bostonherald.com. January 22, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Self-Driving Cars Could Allow As Many As 2 Million People With Disabilities to Work – Autotrader". Autotrader. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  16. ↑ Sisson, Patrick (January 18, 2017). "How driverless cars can empower Americans with disabilities". Curbed. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  17. ↑ Kaplan-Mayer, Gabrielle (September 6, 2017). "Criminalization of Children with Mental Illness". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Criminalization of Children with Mental Illness". connectionspittsburgh.com. September 6, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  19. ↑ Kopic, Kristina (February 5, 2018). "We Must Stop the Rampant Criminalization of Youth with Disabilities". Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  20. ↑ Blake, Melissa (January 16, 2019). "Casting Bryan Cranston as a quadriplegic? Hollywood could do better". CNN. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  21. ↑ Shanahan, Mark (January 18, 2018). "Boston nonprofit again upset about able-bodied actor playing individual with disability". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  22. ↑ http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Jewish-group-asks-why-Hollywood-loves characters-with-disabilities-on-screen-but-not-on-set-506604
  23. ↑ "Jake Gyllenhaal film slated over casting". BBC News. September 15, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  24. ↑ Robb, David (September 13, 2017). "Actors With Disabilities Find Little Work In TV, But CBS & Fox Lead Way In Hiring And Auditioning: Study". Deadline. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  25. ↑ Anderson, Tre'vell. "Disability organization condemns 'Blind' film for casting Alec Baldwin in lead role". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  26. ↑ Michael E. Miller (December 19, 2018). "Months after a fatal police shooting, a young officer turns his gun on himself". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  27. ↑ "California Offers Safe Space For Firefighters To Work Through Stress And Trauma". NPR. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  28. ↑ Reed, Liz Bowie, Lillian (November 13, 2018). "Eastern Tech students and faculty grieve loss of Baltimore County officer who killed himself at school". baltimoresun.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ↑ Davison, Kate (November 12, 2018). "NEWS9 Special Assignment: Who's helping the helpers?". WTOV. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ Ruderman, Jay (June 8, 2018). "Bourdain and Spade suicides spotlight crisis also affecting police and firefighters". Fox News. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  31. ↑ https://www.abqjournal.com/1161855/provide-first-responders-the-help-they-need.htm
  32. ↑ "'Silence can be deadly': 46 officers were fatally shot last year. More than triple that — 140 — committed suicide". USA Today. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Are Colleges Failing Students with Mental Illness?". Psychology Today. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  34. ↑ Stannard, Ed (January 2, 2019). "Report: Yale fails to meet grade in mental health leave policies". West Hartford News. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Columbia receives D grade for leave of absence policies in national report". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Disabled actors and advocates plead to Hollywood: 'Give us a chance, please!'". Los Angeles Times. November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  37. ↑ "This Infuriating TV Statistic Affects You Whether You Realize It or Not". The Mighty. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  38. ↑ Robb, David (September 3, 2021). "Sony Pictures Entertainment Signs Ruderman Family Foundation Pledge To Audition Actors With Disabilities On Every New Show". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  39. ↑ Ellis, Justin (December 7, 2016). "Winners Of Fifth Annual Ruderman Prize In Inclusion Awarded Quarter Million Dollars". The New York Jewish Week.
  40. ↑ Kilgannon, Maddie. "Marlee Matlin gives opening address at Ruderman Family Foundation Inclusion Summit". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Michael Phelps is Recipient of Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion". ejewishphilanthropy.com. January 10, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Farrelly Brothers Receive Ruderman Family Foundation Honor for Disability Inclusivity in Film". The Hollywood Reporter. December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  43. ↑ "MKs to learn about US Jewish community". Ynetnews. March 24, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Ruderman Foundation helps Israeli journalists learn about American Jews". Jewish Journal. December 13, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  45. ↑ "University of Haifa, Ruderman Family Foundation launch pioneering 'American Jewish Studies' program". JNS.org. August 12, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Think tank: Israel must fix U.S. Jewry relations or risk nat'l security". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  47. ↑ "The American Jewish Community and Israel's National Security". INSS.
  48. ↑ Rudee, Eliana (February 20, 2020). "Family ties: Israeli and American leaders assemble in Jerusalem to mend fences, build bridges". JNS.org. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  49. ↑ "'Me Before You' director responds to controversy over film's ending". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  50. ↑ "The director of Me Before You is No. sorrynotsorry about its controversial ending". Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Ruderman Foundation campaign urges US to suspend ties with Poland over Holocaust law". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  52. ↑ Gera, Vanessa. "US Jewish group withdraws Holocaust video offensive to Poles". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  53. ↑ "The statement on the Ruderman Family Foundation film – The Jewish Community of Warsaw". warszawa.jewish.org.pl. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  54. ↑ Izraela, Ambasada (February 21, 2018). "Oświadczenie w sprawie filmu amerykańskiej fundacji.pic.twitter.com/exeqwlbnJH". twitter.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
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