Jewish Deaf Tidbits
GOTTLIEB
Former student Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, who used to work at Temple Beth Or of the Deaf in New York in the late 1970's, was recently mentioned in the Hadassah Magazine. She is now in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she leads a hearing congregation of forty artists. She explains that she mixes New Mexico's culture with other cultures. "Jewish people feel more at home with their tribal roots," she explains. Since 1976, Gottlieb has been traveling around the world to share stores on renewing the spirit of Judaism. The article says she uses sign language, drumming and dance to convey the message.
BOSTON HAS FOLDED
Boston Hebrew Association of the Deaf has folded after serving Bostonian Deaf Jews for thirty five years since it was organized on October 15, 1961. It was founded by Leon Goodman. Due to lack of participation for several years, they have disbanded and donated their funds to several organizations. $1,000 went to Jewish Deaf Congress, Inc., $3,000 went to Our Way/NCSY in honor of their many years of encouraging young Jewish deaf to participate, learn and explore the ways of a true Jewish life.
Shari Stier, Executive Assistant at the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston (BJE), tells us for thirty-five years, the Boston HAD has worked to fulfill the Jewish tradition's fervent hope for an ideal world -- a world where "then the eyes of the blind shall be opened And the ears of the deaf unstopped:. (Isaiah 35:5) We, the BJE, are indeed humbled and sincerely grateful to have been entrusted with that mission.
The fund established with the gift of $13,500 will enable the BJE to continue the work of the Association. We will use the proceeds and small portions of the principal annually to conduct training programs for Jewish school teachers, youth workers, and family educators to serve the many hearing impaired children and young adults in the greater Boston Jewish community. More important, by setting up this fund at the Bureau, the mandate to advocate for the needs of Jewish hearing impaired young people throughout our community -- a mission we accept most seriously, has been transferred to our agency.
MATLIN GETS GREAT REVIEWS!
Marlee Matlin has a new movie on Home Box Office (HBO) starring with James Garner, "Dead Silence".
In a TV Guide Review, the movie was rated 8 out of 10!!!
It is about a busload of seven deaf school children with their teacher Melanie (Marlee) who got hijacked by three escaped convicts and uses them as hostages.
It will be shown on January 11, 14, 20, 23, 26 and 29th. Check your local TV Guide for times.
Marlee Matlin also appeared on Rosie O'Donnell on Friday, January 10th talking about her movie, "Dead Silence". Rosie and Marlee talked about their doll collections. Marlee gave her the Farah Fawcett Doll and Rosie surprised her with her favorite doll, Mrs. Beasley that she had lost hers somewhere!!! Marlee had a surprise for her dad, the audience flashed cards, GET WELL DAD.
GIMMEE JIMMY'S HITS $1M
The October 1996 Issue of New Jersey Monthly reported that Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies in West Orange, New Jersey hit $1 million in sales during 1995. Gimme Jimmy's Cookies is owned by Jimmy Libman who used his mom's "super-secret" chocolate chip cookie recipe to launch his company. Three-quarters of Libman's employees are deaf as well as Libman, himself who is also Jewish.
SIGNED TALMUD STUDY VIDEOS
Agudas Yisroel now has 20 videotapes of Navi shiurim sessions with "qualified volunteer signers" available for use by Jewish Deaf people in classes and Torah study opportunities. These videotapes are of activities led by Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Rav of Agudas Yisroel Zichron Chaim Zvi and were shot at Flatbush Congregation Ahizer which took place after Shabbat during the winter. Rabbi Avrohom Nisan Perl, director of the Torah Projects Department at Aguda Yisroel says they hope to expand their Torah services to deaf people with other signed shiurim in the future.