Fan Mail . . . and gratitude
This month, I thought you might enjoy reading about some of the mail I have received as a result of this column. I went back over the past three years and tried to find all of the letters.
Here are some statistics:
– 31 letters, 5 in 1998, 10 in 1999, 16 in 2000
– Writers live in 12 states (AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NJ, PA, VA) as well as Israel and France.
– Ten people were deaf, 21 were hearing (educators, parents, librarians, and interpreters).
– Most wrote in direct response to a specific column in the JDCC Newsletter. Some wrote due a) to my involvement with the Kesher Camp program, b) the JDC Interpreter Directory Project, c) JSDG (Jewish Sign Discussion Group),
d) my membership with the HAD, e) the website a small group of us recently launched [www.deafvision.net/jewishterp]. Friends, who felt I might be able to help them, also referred a number of people.
Without revealing any confidential information, here is a rough list of the types of questions people have written to me about:
a) requesting that I reply to a survey on interpreting
b) looking for a book to learn Jewish Sign Language (3 letters)
c) looking for a video to learn Jewish Sign Language
d) looking for workshops or email discussion groups to learn more about Jewish Interpreting
e) looking for general resources
f) wanting more info on Kesher Camp Program
g) how to order JDC Interpreter Directory
h) looking for the website address for Our Way
i) requesting list of Judaic Interpreters in their city (3 letters)
j) looking for a social group for hearing impaired young adults
k) requesting help to plan a workshop for interpreters (2 letters)
l) requesting help to plan a deaf awareness workshop for hearing kids
m) wanting more info on mentoring
n) looking for an Interpreter Study Group in their area (2 letters)
o) Looking for help in interpreting specific prayers or life cycle events [Wedding, Bris, Bar Mitzvah, 23rd Psalm]
I have done my best to respond to as many letters as possible. I feel I have been able to point most people in the right direction. The only letters that are truly disheartening are from those people who feel they can learn about signing in Jewish Settings from a book!
As for gratitude. . . in the process of collecting this information, I have been struck by the number of efforts and organizations that exist to bring people together with common interests and goals [JDCC, Jewish Deaf Congress, Jewish Sign Discussion Group, Kesher Camp Program (at Camp Ramah in the Poconos), HAD Chapters all over the country, JDCC’s Website, our new website, other websites with Jewish Content, etc.] Another wonderful resource is the Jewish Deaf Resource Center (JDRC), based in New York City. This organization has paid professionals (Marla Berkowitz and Naomi Brunnlehrman) who are knowledgeable and qualified to answer the “tough” questions that the rest of us flounder with. You may contact them at [email protected].
And finally, I am grateful for the media of print and email, that allows us all to communicate so quickly and easily. Till next time . . . let me know your thoughts . . . . [email protected].
