JDCC'S PROPOSAL

July 5, 2001 

Dear TBS Board Members,

    Following up a meeting with Joe Slotnick, I am writing to you to share our interest in a joint Passover Community Seder co-hosted by TBS and JDCC in 2002. 

    In past years, we have had participants who attended both TBS and JDCC Seders. Some participants, in wishing to be fair, would take turns in attending TBS Seder one year and JDDC Seder the next. 

    Some have expressed their wish to combine both into a single and larger Community Seder so they wouldn't have to pay for our Seder on the First Evening and TBS Seder on the Second Evening. 

    In addition, we received funds recently and did a video multimedia version of the Seder so Deaf participants would not have to read the Haggadah and follow signing at the same time. We would also like to get input from TBS members.

    JDCC Board met with Fred Lovitch and Joe Slot nick recently to explore this possibility of a joint Passover Community Seder. The idea is appealing but obviously we do need to resolve some issues. We are keeping an open mind and would welcome suggestions on an outline of this joint project. We have some needs that need to be met while we are flexible on other needs or concerns that you may have:

1. Our most important concern is making the Seder accessible to everyone whether they are Reform, Conservative or Orthodox. The location cannot be a "kosher style" or "Jewish style", it needs to be an authentic kosher-certificated site so that the event does not exclude anyone who keeps kosher and would like to participate in the joint Seder;
2. Multimedia Community Seder - based on feedback from Deaf people who have had Seders including our own Community Seder, we received funding and for the past three years, we have used technology to develop a very interesting and different method that increases understanding and enjoyment of the Seder! I have given Joe Slotnick a copy of this year's Multimedia Community Seder videotape for you to review. This format makes it possible to present a visually based means of conducting the traditional Seder so that it is accessible to both Deaf and hearing people. It gives readers a chance to take turns in signing when its 'reading' time. The presentation shows individuals leading and presenting prayers in American Sign Language in karaoke style along with voice avers for hearing people. Each year the format is expanded and improved based on post-event surveys. For years, Deaf people had to look at their books and try to follow the leaders, JDCC decided to develop something more user friendly so this new concept allows us to focus on the screen without having to worry about what page we are on, and just relax at our table with family and friends. We have had participants fly in from Arizona and North California yearly and this year we had a couple from Oregon and they plan to return next year; 
3. We are open to having it either the First or Second Evening of Passover. I am sure TBS would prefer it on the Second Evening since this has been a tradition for many years and we are open to this;
4. As for the fees, as TBS is a structured membership organization while we are not, I suggest we have the same price for everyone since this would be considered a joint community project. The Seder should not be seen as a profit-making venture as we generally break even or even lose some money; 
5. If there are any facility rental fees, I propose it be split 50-50 between TBS and JDCC If TBS is not willing, then we will cover this cost on a one-time only basis; 
6. If a kosher supervision fee is required, JD(( will cover this cost since this is an important aspect on our behalf so we do not have to turn anyone away;
7. It has been JDCC's custom to provide childcare. I propose, to encourage young parents to attend, that we split the cost 50-50 between TBS and JDCC. An idea may be to consider having students enrolled in TBS Religious School put together a skit or a program for intermission before we resume the last part of the Haggadah? 
8. Publicity: both TBS and JDCC would advertise the Multimedia Community Seder in their publications, send a joint press release to all publications, and both groups would send announcements) to their electronic e-mailing lists. 

    This would be a one-time experimental project. We would jointly send out a post-Seder survey to determine if joint Community Seder should continue in the future. 

    We look forward to hearing from you and TBS board members on this opportunity to reach out to Jewish Deaf people of all ages and backgrounds.

Sincerely, Sharon Ann Dror
President JDCC
cc: Board members: Eric Brody, Jeff Dichter, David Rosenbaum

TBS RESPONSE: 

Dear Sharon and JDCC Board Members,

    Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf Board of Directors Meeting, Wednesday 5 September 2001. 

    Board's deliberations and decision on the proposed "Joint" Seder with the Jewish Deaf Community Center (JDCC): 

    The proposal tendered by the JDCC Board on the idea of a "Joint" Seder (with TBS and JDCC) for Passover in 2002 was re-read carefully by all Board members present at the meeting. A discussion followed and the unanimous consensus that was arrived at was as follows: 

    Inasmuch as the Passover Seder is one of the most sacred and traditional rituals in Judaism, and Temple Beth Solomon has had its traditional Seder for about forty years, it was felt that "trying to change the habits" of a congregation long appreciative of its own traditions and rituals in this rite might be counterproductive. This would be especially true now in view of the very short time span that is left. Even at the time that the idea was first proposed, in late June 2001, the time interval was still felt to be much too short for a good transition to be made. 

    The Board has decided that TBS will still hold its own Seder on the Second Evening, which is Thursday 28 March 2002. Members of the JDCC will be very welcome to share this Seder with us and it will be publicized in advance of the date. Additionally, members of TBS will be free to attend the JDCC Seder if they are interested in doing so, with enough publication of the event beforehand. This "inter-attendance" by the two groups could be a way of providing comparisons of ideas of doing the Seder. These comparisons can then lead to a discussion of doing a future "Joint" Seder, during which discussion people will have a better grasp of things to talk about. 

    In the meantime the two organizations, the JDCC and TBS should try doing a "Joint" event in some other rite (such as Chanukah). Additionally an Open Discussion between the two groups on having the future "Joint" Passover Seder (as well as other things) might be worked out. 

    The Board went on record as expressing thanks to the JDCC for its proposal and its willingness to work with us in promoting Judaism for Jewish Deaf people. 

Joe Slotnick, President
Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf