Jewish Deaf Tidbits
FOUNTAIN THEATRE
Bernard Bragg is appearing in a play produced by Los Angeles Fountain Theater and premiering in June. Called, "Sweet Nothing In My Ear", the play centers around a hearing father and deaf mother of a child who suddenly loses his hearing and whether he should have a cochlear implant. The play, presented in American Sign Language with voice overs, starts June 20th and runs through July 27th. For information, or to reserve tickets, call 213/663-1098 TTY or 213/663-1525 Voice. The play is written and directed by Stephen Sachs. Also appearing is Elizabeth Barret, Cal Barlett, Bob Kirsh, Gianni Manganelli, Jennifer Massey, Freda Norman, Gary Dean Ruebsamen, Jennifer Snipstad, Terrylene, and Vikee Waltrip.
NEW JEWISH DEAF COMMUNITY
Jay Perlman is the new assistant Rabbi at Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, MO. The group recently hosted 'Shabbat and Schmooze', a pot luck Shabbat dinner followed by a discussion on ways to improve programming for the Deaf Community. Among ideas discussed: a monthly Tuesday evening program, monthly interpreters at their Shabbat Services, special family Shabbat services and informal get togethers. For information, call Denise St. Cyr at 314/344-9994 TTY or Rabbi Jay Perlman at 314/569-0010 Voice.
SIMAN TOV
Tifereth Israel Congregation, a Conservative Synagogue in Washington, D.C., has the Siman Tov program as part of their Himmelfarb Religious School providing religious education to Jewish deaf children in American Sign Language. "Our teachers are skilled in ASL and have strong credentials in Jewish Education," they explain, the school's goal is to "foster a genuine, lifelong commitment to Judaism and the Jewish people through knowledge and understanding." Included in their curriculum is the following four subject areas: Ivrit (Hebrew), Tanakh (Bible), T'Fila (Prayer), Yahadut (Jewish life, holidays, ritual, history, Israel) and they also have a Parent Education Program. For information, contact Lynn Golub-Rofrano at 202/882-7041 TTY, or e-mail at lynngrl@juno.com