A Message From The Editor
The other day, I was thinking and pondering about recent trends. We have heard about the wonderful things the hearing Jewish Community is doing to reach out to, and help other Jews. Chabad House, for example, has done a amazing job across the country and around the world doing so many projects that has had impact on world Jewry. The Jewish Community had a Shabbat Across America a few weeks ago.
Have they even considered Deaf Jewish people, a sub-minority within their own Jewish Community? How many temples provide interpreted Shabbat services? Is it because we are not interested in mainstreaming in their Temples or its too complicated to introduce ourselves? Whose responsibility is it – the hearing leaders, or ours?
Does the Jewish Community know that we exist? What do we really want them to do for us? We need to know what we want before we can even ask the Jewish community to help.
A current controversial issue has arisen in the Jewish sign language interpreting community: do interpreters need to be familiar with Judaism, do they need to know Hebrew? Should they sign in English or Hebrew, and how do they decide on standard signs for specific Jewish words?
It would be great if there were more Deaf Rabbis and leaders. However before this becomes a reality, we would need to educate Seminaries, Yeshivas and Jewish institutions to provide sign language classes in their curriculum to encourage their students to become more aware and sensitive of the Deaf Community? Hopefully some of these future hearing Jewish leaders will become Rabbis, Educators or Interpreters in the Jewish Deaf Community.
For someone like me who has three deaf children, I want my children and all Jewish deaf children across the country to have as much exposure to Judaism and Hebrew as possible. But, who will teach them?
Now that I have shared my thoughts, I would like to hear yours and would appreciate your taking your time to discuss your thinking as well!
JDCC’s Mail Box
FAX: 818/845-9936
[email protected]
Dear Sharon,
I wanted to say thanks for a lovely evening before I forget to, my family enjoyed the seder as much as I did; everyone we met was extremely nice and I literally had to pull my daughter away from all her new friends. It was all in all, a lovely experience. I hope to remain informed of other events that come up in the JDCC. Have an enjoyable Passover holiday, and once again, thanks.
Linda Bernett
Culver City, CA
Dear Sharon,
Words cannot express our gratitude to JDCC and their Passover fund for giving us the privilege to participate in the JDCC Community Seder. JDCC never cease to amaze us with their enormous generosity. Thanks mucho! Shalom.
Hetty & Justin Rothenberg
Canyon Country, CA
Dear JDCC,
I just wanted to express my gratitude for the privilege of attending the Seder, which I could not have afforded without financial assistance this year. Passover is a very important communal event in the Jewish community, and it just isn’t the same when celebrated alone.
Therese Shellabarger
North Hollywood, CA
Dear Sharon and JDCC,
We want to express our thanks to you and the availability of the Passover Fund that we were able to attend JDCC’s sedan Every year, it always gets better and we always enjoyed and enriched our understanding the meaning of Passover. I can understand my husband, Barry’s religion, Judaism better by attending JDCC’s events. The table of eight with one leader was very ideal and practical. Keep up with your good work and we always look forward to attending JDCC’s events.Thank you again.
Sandra Coco and Barry Fischthal
Valencia, CA
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for the wonderful work you have done on the Passover Seder. We had a lovely time and we loved the setting, it was informal and very comfortable. Our daughter, Gabrielle had fun too. The child care was great. We would come again next year for Passover Seder. This would not have happened if it was not for your hard work in setting up the Seder so again thank you so much for your dedication.
Monica Schuster, Steve and Gabrielle Merkin
Reseda, CA
wow wow wow. Your home page is very impressive and very well organized. I bravo your great effort and leadership in terms of education value. Keep up! ! !! Shalom
The Goulstons
[email protected]
Sherman Oaks, CA
My children and I communicate using ASL but would like to learn sign language in Hebrew. Do you know who I could contact for books or literature?
D. R. Kaufman
[email protected]
Shalom! What a wonderful surprise to see your web page on the net!!! I’m thrilled to be able to find some info about Jewish Deaf insights and news! It is important to keep tabs on what is going on in our world!!
Keep up the terrific work!
Carole-Ann Bader
[email protected]
Phoenix, AZ
Your articles, documents, news, etc. about Jewish Deaf communities in the USA and in other countries are really interesting and informative.
Robert Nathan
[email protected]
Fort Wayne, IN
