Jessica Ames, an ASL interpreter and Naomi Brunnelehrman, a Judaic interpreter created three videos in sign language.
Jessica says “This is a Jewish Educational video in American Sign Language. We have made 3 videos so far, and hope to make more. I am a free-lance ASL Interpreter, with 26 years of experience, and I work in Jewish and secular settings, and Naomi is also an interpreter, who specializes in Judaic interpreting, is fluent in Hebrew, and also has a full time job in the Jewish community.
“The intended audiences for the videos are: Deaf and Hard-of-hearing people who would like to learn more about Judaism– holidays, Hebrew roots words, core concepts, and for ASL Interpreters who want to increase their Judaic knowledge, so that they might feel more comfortable interpreting in Jewish settings. People who do captioning may also be interested. Of course, we are thrilled if other communities find the videos useful as well. Sign language students and people curious about the Jewish Deaf community and about sign language in general may also find these interesting. As we say in the videos, we are not teaching the correct signs for any Hebrew words or prayers, but rather we are providing educational content through the language of ASL. There are limited opportunities for Jewish Deaf and Hard-of-hearing people to have access to Jewish education in ASL and/or that is made accessible through captions, and not enough services and programs are interpreted. There are also not many religious schools that have interpreters and/or classes for Deaf children that are taught in ASL, so we are attempting, in this small way, to address this, and to make people aware of this need. We also feel strongly that with the knowledge of the meaning of Hebrew words, concepts, and prayers, that people who are fluent in ASL can figure out how to best sign the word, which may vary depending on the context in which it is used. There is also a difference in how many of these concepts are discussed/signed in a Jewish context, as compared to the signs that may be used in a Christian or other religious context. For example, in ASL, people often sign “JESUS-BOOK” for Bible, whereas we would sign “HOLY-BOOK” or “TORAH” depending on the context.”
JDRC Shoresh Video 1
Play video – www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPClXlVQ5b4
Our first Jewish Educational video in American Sign Language (with open captions) is an introduction to our video series, and explains what a Shoresh, or root word, is in Hebrew, and how once you know the meaning of a shoresh, it can help you figure out the meaning of related words.
Video was done by Jessica Ames, an ASL interpreter and Naomi Brunnelehrman, a Judaic interpreter.
JDRC Kadosh Video 2
Play video – www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmTo6gpgxvE
The second video focuses on the root word for Kadosh, and discusses related words like Kiddush and Kaddish.
Video was done by Jessica Ames, an ASL interpreter and Naomi Brunnelehrman, a Judaic interpreter.
JDRC Shabbat Video 3
Play video – www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JI2g_Kek_8
The third video focuses on Shabbat, and the root word Shin, Bet, Taf, and discusses when Shabbat begins and ends, and some ways that people celebrate Shabbat. Video was done by Jessica Ames, an ASL interpreter and Naomi Brunnelehrman, a Judaic interpreter.
Source: Jessica Ames
