Keneseth Israel, Philadelphia
Robert Katz reports that thirteen members of Philadelphia Hebrew Association of the Deaf (PHAD) and friends attended this year’s annual Passover hosted by the Brotherhood of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park along with its hearing members. The Seder, held on the second night of Passover, was led by Rabbi Bradley and Cantor Gurney with Lore Rosenthal interpreting.
Metro Washington, D.C.
Washington Society of Jewish Deaf (WSJD) had to cancel their Seder plans this year. Reason given by WJSD president Steve Brenner: “Because of the high cost of banquet affair, it is decided that we will not conduct Passover for this year. It may be too expensive for some of us to go to both affairs…” The banquet was held on March 29th to celebrate WSJD’s 25th anniversary. Student rabbi Alan Abarbanell was their guest speaker.
New York…
One Seder was held in the Jewish Deaf New York Community this year… it was hosted by New York Hebrew Association of the Deaf at Sol oldman’Y’ Lounge with fifty people. services was led by student rabbi Alan Abarbanell who read from the Passover Haggadah. New York HAD secretary Renee Finkin says “We depended on him to come all the way from Chicago to give his storytelling in observance of Passover and celebration of freedom.” Also present was Pearl Johnson, Paul Kohnstamm, and Steve Adler from the New York Society of the Deaf as guests. Sally Auerbach signed the ‘Had Gadya’ story and Lloyd Shikin asked the Four Questions. “It was every memorable occasion enjoyed by all. Next year in Jerusalem!”
Temple Beth Or of the Deaf cancelled their Seder this year due to miscommunication among their leadership. Brooklyn Hebrew Society of the Deaf (BHSD) has never held a Seder but there has been talk about having it next year. They celebrate their 70th anniversary on May 17th.
Boston…
Brenda Schertz reports that two deaf and three hearing women led the Seder at Havurat Shalom, an Orthodox egalitarian Jewish community in Boston where women and men come to pray and learn; explore, celebrate, and grapple with Jewish tradition; work for and collect tzedakah (charity) for social action causes, and discuss a variety of Jewish concerns. Havurat Shalom, which was founded in 1968, does not have a rabbi. All members take turns leading Shabbat and other services in a house that they own which has a Torah in an ark.
The five deaf and hearing women wrote and designed the Haggadah. “We hired four interpreters”, Schertz explains, “two interpreting at the same time. We had agreed way ahead of time that we would have 15 deaf and 15 hearing people … so that deaf people would feel that this Seder was for them too not just for hearing people learning to mingle with deaf people.”
Chicago…
Congregation Bene Shalom Hebrew Association of the Deaf (CBS/HAD) held its Seder during the second night at Doubletree Hotel which was attended by 90 deaf and hearing people according to Nona Balk who explains “We had someone to interpret what the deaf and hearing says as they read from the Haggadah and also interpreted the lively songs that the soloist sings. Many people joins us in signing and singing along with our soloist. Rabbi gave honors to all the deaf people who comes to the Passover Seder and to some hearing people to recite the questions from the Haggadah. Rabbi Goldhamer answers them in sign language and voice as well. Our members of CBS, David and Karen Fennel made an beautiful Haggadah book that children and adults can enjoy using it. All the people in the book are pictured with a signed word according what part is being discussed. We have about 100 books. They are just great and we cherish them. We always look forward to the Community Passover Seder.”
Las Vegas…
Irene Kronick says there is no Las Vegas Jewish Deaf Community but We got together for Passover Seder at Sophie and Herbert Katz’s house with 18 people altogether. It was just lovely with a lot of food served. Also we said the prayers before we started to eat. We will do that again next year for Passover. It was a great fun by all of us… we talked about the history of Passover, it was interesting”.
And In Our Backyard: California!
Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf (TBS) in Arleta, CA hosted its annual Seder at Sportsman Lodge in Studio City during the second evening of Passover which was attended by 120 people. Student rabbi Erica Burech conducted the event. Lauren Stern and Spencer Mathis both won the fingerspelling contest and Spencer found the afikomer.. Craig Weiss invented a ‘who Hid the Afikomen Mystery Game’.
And how did JDCC’s annual Community Seder go? It was definitely a starstudded event with actress Marlee Matlin and nationally acclaimed actor Bernard Bragg present. Held on the first evening of Passover at Burbank Temple Emanu El in Burbank, CA, it was attended by 104 people who sat at tables of eight or nine people with a leader at each table reading from the Haggadah. It is the fourth consecutive year that JDCC has hosted the Community Seder.
