LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
CORRECTION: In the last issue - the Jewish Holiday Dates were incorrect, this issue has been corrected. Sorry for any confusion.
Letter to the Editor:
I am very glad that I signed onto your mailing list at DEAF EXPO '96 and now receive the JDCC News. I am a hearing, Jewish adult who received an interpreter's certificate in ASL 3 years ago. I regularly tutor a deaf/autistic adult and also teach at Temple Beth Israel in Pomona. Our enlightened education director hired me to teach music and sign language to our religious school because she felt it of great importance that our children do 2 things: 1st - learning Hebrew for little ones (and sometimes big ones) might be looked at as "gibberish" and hard to understand. But when I translate these once difficult prayers and songs, into ASL, the children learn in not only an auditory way, but also in a "hands-on" manner. 2nd - as she eloquently explains it to parents, it is commanded that we as Jews do Mitzvot. Knowing and understanding another language, is becoming aware of other people and their needs and not just our own "perfect" little world.
Our 3,4, & 5 year olds, recently helped to lead our Family Tefillah by signing the Borchu, Shema and the Mishebarach. Our older children can do the same along with the candle blessing, and the V'havtah. These prayers have brought additional meanings to the children as well as their parents.
Our congregation is unique in many ways, but we, at this point in time, do not have any deaf families, but our children and I am there if they decide to join and will be more than happy to interpret the services for them. It's our mitzvah! Most sincerely,
Lainie Lapis
Claremont, CA
IT'S A FAX FOR JDCC NEWS
Thank you for the kind words about my mother and father in your current newsletter. It is nice to see they are remembered after all these years and had an impact that is still appreciated. Thanks.
Marty Zucker
Los Angeles, CA
Hi Sharon,
We really enjoyed ourselves to read about history of LA Jewish deaf community. Hopeful, there will not be fade on our Jewish deaf in L.A. Community. We wonder, it seems like 40 years wandering in the old testament.
Percy and Ruth Morris
W.L.A., CA
E-Mail To JDCCNEWS @aol.com
Visit our Guestbook to leave your comments!(take me to the Guestbook)
Hi, Congrats on your new project which I hope will be a model to others who are also concerned with their important dates. I have been collecting items of interest from groups within the deaf community for increasing public awareness about our diversity and history. Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action - USA of the National Association of the Deaf would like to have a copy we can share with others. Thank you for your wonderful services to the deaf community.
Alice Hagemeyer, Silver Spring, MD
Shalom!
Kudos to the great calendar project JDCC initiated. Ultratec staff passed on their complimentary calendar to me. I am tempted to pass it on to my kid's school district, but will keep it available here. The school district KNOWS BETTER but it now and then fails and schedules an important event such as BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT/PARENT TEACHER OPEN HOUSE on Rosh Hoshunah or a required student field trip on Passover! (I know you know precisely what I'm talking about or the calendar idea would have never evolved!)
Let's hope those planning deaf community events are prepared for the next five years to avoid scheduling conflicts, smile! I especially like the fact you covered FIVE WHOLE YEARS! Way to go!
Pam Holmes
Director, Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Ultratec, Inc, Madison, WI
Dear Madam/Sir,
I am writing to request a 5-year calendar memo board. I am the Deaf Services Coordinator at Holyoke Community College, and your calendar would be very helpful to us in our planning for events (lectures, presentations, etc) over the next 5 years.
Carol-Ann Smalley, Holyoke, MA
What a great idea!! Would like to have one[calendar], please.
Dr. Richard Steffan
Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia, MD
Would you please send me one or two of these calendars so the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf can avoid conflicts with Jewish holidays?
James Powell, Newsletter Editor
Madison, WI