Four organizations – Hillel at Gallaudet, Jewish Deaf Congress (JDC), Jewish Deaf Resource Center (JDRC), and Washington Society of Jewish Deaf (WSJD) are collaborating on a “Monthly Virtual ASL Shabbat”.
The next online Shabbat Service will be held on Friday, June 5th at 6.45pm EST. Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe will lead services. As the first female deaf rabbi, she is currently rabbi at Moses Montefiore Congregation in Bloomington, IL.
Following services have been scheduled for July 10, and August 7.
“These services will include the traditional lighting of candles, prayers, a sermon and discussion session, all in American Sign Language. Voice interpreters and captioning will also be provided.
“In times of joy and sadness, we come together as a Jewish community to celebrate and mourn. For each Shabbat service, we want to celebrate your happy occasions, such as births, marriages, or graduations.
“We also want to be there to offer you comfort during your difficult times. For the Mourner’s Kaddish, we will accept, a week in advance of each service, names of individuals who have passed away within the past week, month, or year.
“If you wish to acknowledge births, bar or bat mitzvah, marriages, graduations, and deaths, please email Janie Golightly, [email protected], by May 30. Janie will compile a list of names to be recognized at the service.”
The four groups, called “Virtual ASL Shabbat Coalition”, are raising funds to cover costs of conducting monthly VIrtual ASL Shabbat.
Source: Washington Society of Jewish Deaf
