Jewish Deaf Tidbits |
Jeanne King with Reuters announced in early-April that ten deaf immigrants from the former Soviet aid, Union plan to sue Manischewitz, one of the world's largest makers of Passover bread, and a labor union for
alleged discrimination.
Among the civil rights violations: the employer and union's failure to provide sign
language interpreters, and absence of flashing fire alarms. They are seeking damages of
$36 million, according to the lawsuit that was about to be filed in Brooklyn federal
court. Alan Rich, the attorney representing the deaf bakers, alleges that
in a 1994 "major fire with a blackout ... all the hearing people got out
safely," but that one person had to run back to inform a deaf baker of the fire and
get him out of the building.Hadassah Convention To Be
Accessible!
National Camping Group Recognizes Camp Programs
Kesher Family Camp in the Poconos was
among three camp programs honored with the 1997 Eleanor P. Eells Award by the American
Camping Association for their services to the poor and disabled children and adults.
Kesher Family Camp in the Poconos, located in Pennsylvania, provides a Jewish camping
experience to families with Deaf or hard of
hearing parents and children. The Award was named after Eels, a firm believer that camping
is a medium which all different kinds of people can gain and enjoy benefits.
Our Way National Convention
Our Way an outreach
program for Jewish Deaf at the National Convention of Synagogue Youth, is hosting its
national convention at Congregation Sha'arei Zion in Baltimore, MD from May 14 to 17th.
Cost for the entire four days is $125 although they can also accept registrations for
Shabbos only. Among planned activities: tour of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.,
Torah Workshops, Officer elections and Contest, Shabbos service and meeting Deaf Rabbis.
For more information, contact David Kastorat (410) 764-3986 TTY, (410) 764-1842 FAX or DKastor@HCFA.
Benefit Fundraiser In Chicago
The
popular play 'Sweet Nothing in my Ear' is coming to Victory Gardens Theater, in Chicago in
May. And Congregation Ben Shalom/Hebrew Association of the Deaf is hosting a special,
benefit performance on May 19th. Tickets of fifty dollars entities person to both the play
and a dinner buffet at John Barleycorn Pub and Garden. Chicago native Liz Tannebaum-Greco
appears in this play.
Deaf Doctor Comes To Rochester
Dr. Carolyn Stern, a deaf doctor, and
Dr. Timothy Malia are opening a "deaf-friendly" practice in Brighton, 
a suburb of Rochester, on March 23. Stern, believed to be one of
about 25 deaf physicians in the country, is moving from Chicago, where she's worked
since1990. Although this family medicine practice is targeted at Deaf and hard of hearing
patients, they will treat anyone. It will be equipped with TTYs and receptionists who know
sign language. Examination rooms will also be equipped with flashing lights that flashes
when a doctor enters the room. Stern, 33, a graduate of Northwestern University,
specializes in obstetrics. The offices will be in Folsom Medical Center on
Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road who is targeting deaf patients because of its proximity
to National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
Marlee Matlin, who won an Oscar for her role as Sarah in 'Children of a Lesser God' has been keeping
busy. A biography on her life recently aired on 'E!
Entertainment Television' cable. She is hard at work writing a book for teenagers which
will be published by Simon & Schuster. She will be starring in a new movie IN HER SELF
DEFENSE, while producing and starring in "90 DAYS AT HOLLYRIDGE," a movie
to be shown on the Lifetime cable TV network. Also soon to be released feature TWO SHADES
OF BLUE with Eric Roberts. People Weekly', 'In Style', and 'McCall's' magazines recently
ran photos and articles on her preparations to attend this year's Academy Award
ceremonies.
NASA Excludes Deaf From Program
Adam Skwersky obtained all medical
clearances required before he could undergo NASA's KC-135 flight training. NASA however,
would not allow Skwersky to start the training program citing the cost of providing
interpreters during training classes. This news item was announced by DeafDigest in March
with a note from its editor pointing out that its okay for NASA to spend billions of
dollars for "NASA flights to the moon, Mars, Jupiter, etc - but not few thousand
dollars more for interpreters!"
New York School Makes Front Page Of NY Times
An article involving Dr. Martin Florsheim, vice-president of finance with Jewish Deaf Congress (JDC/NCJD) , and Junior High
School 47, known as
'JHS 47' located in Manhattan, New York appeared on the March 5th front page issue of New
York Times, which reported that Rudy Crew, the state's chancellor of schools is
overhauling the school to ensure full sign language instruction of all students. Florsheim
recently became JHS 47's first deaf principal which used to be the nation's largest oral
school for the deaf.
Hand in Hand Videos
It is not often when we see videotapes showing Jewish prayers
in I American Sign Language (ASL). JDCC was anxious to see two such videotapes that E.
J. Cohen, a hearing interpreter, had developed. Titled 'Hand in Hand', the two
videos which cost $50 if purchased together, left much to be desired. The idea of the
videos was to show signs for Jewish prayers and terminology.
The first tape, Hand in Hand (Yad B' Yad), is six minutes long featuring six prayers in both ASL and Hebrew manual alphabet. The second tape, Hand in Hand 2 (Yad B'Yad Sheni), is longer with more prayers and terminology.
While E. J. Cohen has devoted her time and energy in consulting hearing and deaf Jews in developing signs most accurate to their meanings, the length of the tapes, its amateurish look, and the cost would be a deterrent. For information, she can be contacted at 33154 Lake Garrison St. Fremont, CA 94555, 510/487-3523 V/T or EJ2323@aol.com
Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer Gets Honors
Rabbi Douglas H. Goldhamer was among eleven Rabbis recognized by Hebrew Union College's Jewish
Institute of Religion for their twenty-five years of
rabbinical service. Goldhamer heads Congregation Bene Shalom/Hebrew Association of the
Deaf in Skokie, Illinois and the Hebrew Seminary of the Deaf. The Founders' Day Service
took place on March 25th in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Clinton Reappoints Holmes
Pamela Holmes, director of
consumer affairs at Ultratec, Inc. in Madison, Wisconsin, was reappointed by U.S.
President Clinton recently to serve another4-year temm on the US Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) in Washington, DC.
Deaf Women Climb Mountains
A group of deaf women will embark on a mountain climbing expedition on January 4-23, 1999 with the goal to reach the top of the Aconcagua in South America. Leading this group is veteran mountaineer Heidi Zimmer assisted by Lisa Flynn. The group seeks donations to make the expedition possible. For information, visit their website at http://www.users.fast.net/~sclaghorn/dwet.htm or e-mail to zimmyO7@juno.com or lisaflynn@aol.com