Photo: Participants pose for photo at Deaf-Blind Shabbaton on June 14.
Steven A. Frank
Contributor
On June 14, 2019, Eighteen deaf-blind participants arrived at Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown, MD and attended the Sixth Biennial deaf-blind Shabbaton conference for that weekend along with many interpreters and volunteers. The Shabbaton offered many activities like baking Hamantashen special pastries for Purim.
In past years, we made challah as traditional, so they wanted to have us make something different this year. After lunch, there were ice breakers activity for each individual to introduce their names and states where they came from.
We also learned more about Judaism and deaf-blind techniques; Shabbat candle-lighting.
Before dinner, there was Kabbalat Shabbat deaf-blind friendly service. Then we had Shabbat blessings and dinner.
Photos: Steve Frank making hamantashen at the Deaf-Blind Shabbaton.
On Sat. June 15th, we were busy with activities all day so that we enjoyed learning many things. The Shabbaton had Shabbat morning service for deaf-blind friendly interactive Torah service.
There was one deaf-blind participant who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and gave speech now because he had not had the opportunity when he was young. Then I gave my speech about my experience sixty years ago when I had Bar Mitzvah at Hicksville Jewish Center in Long Island, New York.
In the afternoon, there were Hands-on Holidays exhibits open with docents and guides in such like Passover seder; High Holy holidays; Chanukah and Shavuot. The Shavuot holiday is a very important holiday to mark receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
A committee set up canopy for Sukkot celebration inside the building with several interesting items that they explained. After dinner, the Hands-on Holidays exhibits were open again with docents and guides at tables to explain holiday history and artifacts. Then we had Havdallah service end of Shabbat.
Before we went to bed, there was dancing and dessert.
On Sunday June 16th, after breakfast, Rabbi taught us men individually how to wrap Tefillin. Before the closing events, there was marketplace with arts and crafts for sale.
Everybody had a marvelous time over the weekend with good memories. I especially enjoyed learning about Shavuot and Sukkot.
The Deafblind Shabbaton is a program of Baltimore’s Macks Center for Jewish Education. It is run by Dr. Sheryl Cooper, Mrs. Sara Leah Kovacs and Mrs. Yael Zelinger along with many Jewish Deaf and hearing committee heads.
The participants come from all over the USA, Canada and Israel. The Deaf and hearing SSPs, CDIs and interpreters come in from all over the country to volunteer their time and expertise. For more information please visit www.cjebaltimore.org/deafblind or contact [email protected]
Source: Steven A. Frank
