A recent issue of the Jewish Journal reports that when kids from Sinai Temple celebrated Chanukah with the members of Temple Beth Solomon (TBS) in Tarzana, CA, they were able to join in, having learned how to sign the “Shema” when TBS members visited Sinai. Building bridges between Deaf and hearing communities is the goal of programs like those of TBS and the group Our Way, which assist Deaf or hard of hearing Jews to participate in Jewish religious events. More than ever in history, Deaf Jews are looking to connect with their heritage and trying to overcome the frustration of a hearing Jewish community that, while well-meaning, doesn’t seem to “get it.”
For example, there is a large constituency of older Jews who missed out on having a Jewish education because they attended residential schools for the Deaf. As a result, they lack the basics that most rabbis and teachers take for granted when giving a lecture and are unable to appreciate what is being signed to them in temple services and sermons. TBS lay leader Roz Robinson says, “If the material of the sermon is over their heads and nothing they can relate to, the Deaf would be lost even with an interpreter because an interpreter doesn’t explain anything. The interpreter only translates what is being said into sign language.”
It’s also difficult for Deaf people to participate in group discussions with hearing people. Robinson, the only Deaf person in her family of four, has never been able to fully participate in the sisterhoods at either of the hearing shuts her family has joined. Although she can speak clearly, she said the few times she attended, she never spoke up, fearing that by the time she jumped in, the others would have already moved on to another topic, leaving her looking and feeling foolish.
Our Way, a New York-based national organization run by Rabbi Eliezer Lederfeind, helps members integrate into hearing Orthodox congregations. Lederfeind, the hearing son of Deaf parents, noticed the lack of religious opportunities for Deaf Jews, and began working with Deaf Jewish teenagers. He gradually expanded the program to include family Shabbatons, programs teaching Torah by e-mail, and a sports program for Deaf children with separate gyms for boys and girls. The organization even has a matchmaking service, the Jewish Deaf Singles Registry (www.jdsr.org).
Lori Moore, a North Hollywood mother of two boys and a teenage girl, leads the Our Way chapter in California. Her sons, Jason, 20, and Andrew, 12, are both Deaf. She said the family’s involvement with Our Way has helped her children to integrate better into their community. Jason Moore, who is in New York, said that while there have been difficulties, there are advantages to having a hearing loss, such as the strength of the Deaf community. However, while some Jews would characterize themselves as Deaf first and Jewish second, Jason disagrees. “I am a Jew; deafness is secondary,” he said. “Deafness only applies in this olam hazen (`this world’) whereas being Jewish applies in this world and the next.”
The Moore family and Robinson, while on very different ends of the religious spectrum, do agree on one thing: hearing and Deaf communities should continue to strive for greater inclusion, on both sides. “TBS is open to all,” Robin said. “Our services are completely voiced in addition to signed, so that anyone can follow along with us.”
