Friend of JDCC Recipient
I must say it feels a bit awkward, as I am usually the one behind the scenes. However, I am proud and honored to receive the Friend of JDCC award this afternoon.
I’d like to start by reciting the Shema-
Shema Yisrael Adonat Elohetnu, Adonai Echad
Hear O’ Israel, the Lord Our G-d, the Lord is One.
The Shema is THE most important Jewish prayer as it is a declaration of faith and unity with G-d. To me it takes on an additional meaning, as it was the very first Jewish prayer I teamed in sign language at my Temple Day Camp.
Growing up Orange County, I could count the number of Jewish students in my school… on both hands. Thus my family decided on the importance of surrounding ourselves in a religious environment. My father was past President of our Temple, mother was involved in sisterhood, and my brother and I were both active in our Temple youth group. As a family, we were all interested and committed to enriching our lives through the study of our heritage.
For American Jews, Judaism is a minority culture. Education is the key and is essential. The JDCC opens the doors to the deaf and hard of hearing community to enable them to know, understand and observe the laws and traditions of Judaism. The JDCC lays out the foundation for each of us to create our own Jewish future. The organization encourages all to find our own place within the tradition and leads us into a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be Jewish.
Judaism provides us with community. Jews everywhere have regarded themselves as family, an expanded family. We ALL share a common history. We ALL share a story that includes both triumph and tragedy. We ALL go thru the process of discovery focusing ors major life cycles: birth, the coming of age, marriage, and death. Together we explore the role of prayer, dietary laws and ethical behavior. In addition, we learn from other cultures, as in the bigger picture we are all one big family.
Human beings have the right to know who they are and where they cams from. There are amazing people in my life who are hero in celebration today who have supported my search of who I am- every step of the way. Both family and friends, each of them in their own way, have provided me with inspiration and wisdom and to this I express my gratitude.
I lovingly dedicate this award to my late Bubbi Anna (hard of hearing), my sweet cousin Faith (Deaf) and to my amazing parents—each in their own way, continue to guide and shape me. I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to Sharon Dror, for serving as a wonderful role model to me. Without her commitment, there would be no JDCC.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
Thank you for your support of the JDCC and thank you, JDCC, for this honor. I am proud to be a Friend of JDCC.
