LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hello, Sharon Soudakoff!
I would like to share some insights to our New Year holiday. Andrea, Peter, Joshua and Jessica Feldman visited us in our Germantown home. Bob, Felece, Francis, Phyllis Steele and Feldmans read Rosh Hashanah (A Family Service book by Judith Abrams) and learned about three things that we can do better to make next year better than last year. The three words are: Tefillah ( pray); Teshuvah ( make up for mistakes) and Tzedakah ( share). We really enjoyed having chickens, briskets, cabbage with noodles, chopped chicken liver, matzah ball soup, and chocolate chip cake along with thumbprint cookies. The meal was absolute scrumptious. The Steeles' family would like to pass on the information that it is important to keep up with Jewish tradition whether we are deaf or hearing. The family togetherness is what makes it so unique and special. Shalom!
Felece Steele
Germantown, MD
I keep a close eye on your site - I always announce the new newsletters in my own newsletter. You can visit my site by clicking on the word below: <http://deafness.miningco.com>
Jamie Berke
MD
Keep it up with the newsletter for Jewish Deaf community. We are looking for someone in Jewish deaf community who are helping us to sell Andy's father, Henry Newman's paintings that related to Jewish themes. Hope to hear from you.
Teresa & Andy Newman
Columbia, MD
Finally!!!! So happy I found this! Very resourceful!
Nancy Schick
Newark, Ohio
Hi there, I Just happened to catch your page. We are hearing parents of a deaf child. We are learning sign. Would love to hear from anyone. We are finding alot of basic children's signs do not exist. Also does anyone out there know how I can get info on MICHEL Deformity ? We think this site is wonderful
Myrna
Canada
I enjoy getting your newsletter. I am a hearing student Majoring in Deaf Studies and Child Development and minoring in Jewish Studies at Cal State University, Northridge. Keep up the great work!!
Jill Fay Rosenberg
Granada Hills, CA
Sharon:
While I was sitting on the front of my e-mail computer and thinking pensively about our events during our High Holy Days this year, I'd love to share with everyone that I was touched and exposed deeply by the great bunch of people who attended. I entered with my happy-to-be-alive attitude. And I was very pleased with the services especially with added-on group discussions. What impressed me so much was the importance of showing our affections and love. It is the smallest of things that mean the most to me. I am asking you to please send this letter around and spread encouragement, to express your love and caring by complimenting and being open with communication. B'Shalom
Lisa Malmeth
CA
Hi JDCC,
I really love getting your newsletter! Keep it coming! I work at California Elwyn in Fountain Valley, CA in Orange County. I've been a client there now for the past 19 years, since 1978. Also, I'm an interpreter for the deaf and legally blind staff member. And I do a lot of free lancing too, like Deaf Days at Disneyland. Hope to hear from you soon. Keep sending me your newsletter. Sincerely, Margie Garetz P.S. I've known sign language since 1976, for 21 years.
Margie Garetz
Anaheim, CA
Hi-
I have a moderate hearing loss. I have had it since birth. I currently wear a Xomed Audiant implant which works by way of magnets at each ear. I am interested in feed back from anyone who wears one. I am almost 40, married with no children. I am not affiliated with any temple but go to conservative temples of my parents and my in-laws. I look forward to hearing from people
Dan Berg
Salem, MA
Dear Sharon,
We read JDCC News (SEPT/OCT), great deal to have printed about Jewish Funeral and Mourning Customs, to give us awareness and the Jewish laws to all Jewish deaf people who are Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox. This information was valuable for all of us!
Q: Why does Israel observe shiva, visiting cemetery, and tombstone unveiling ceremony for 30 days instead of 11 months?
Q: Why do other family members use ripped (kria) on right side of the blouse or shirt, not on left side? Only for mother or father on left side?
Q: When a person commits suicide, where will they be buried? What kind of cemetery? What do to with the body? Will Rabbi say the normal prayer and a different kind of prayer?
Nowadays, most of them wear black ribbons on clothes on left side as Rabbi slit on black ribbons. We and our families wore black ribbons for one week when our beloved mum passed away two years ago.
Widow or widowers: when husband or wife passes away, if she/her wants to get remarry, they must wait for one year. What about Israel's law?
Shivas: bringing food. When family members and/or friends come to visit the mourners and brings food, they put food on the table in the kitchen and helps put it on the table. Never hand food to mourners when visitors bring food.
Many of us are not aware if we are from the Levi or Cohen tribe, due to older generations being killed in the holocaust and lost or destroy marriage and birth certificates. Yes, really sad for not knowing whether we are or not a Levi or Cohen. Naturally, we are all called Israelis when we are not sure or don't know for sure. Shalom!
Ruth & Percy Morris
Los Angeles, CA
Editor replies: Consulted with a Rabbi and here are the answers to the above questions: in regards to why the customs in Israel are different from those outside of the land, many of these things that we observe for mourning also vary by community outside the land of Israel. Everyone observes the one-year mourning period for a mother or father. The difference is in customs as to when to have an unveiling or when to visit the grave site. The general custom in Israel is to the cemetery after getting up from Shiva and to do the unveiling after 30 days. Here in America, the custom has become to go to the cemetery for an unveiling after 11 months. However, in some communities, it is customary to go after 30 days. The tombstone can be put up at anytime after the 30 days are over.
A person's relationship with a parent is very different from that of a sister, brother, wife, husband, son, or a daughter. A parent is responsible for bringing a child into the world with the help of G-d and for raising him/her. This is an unique relationship and it is a much deeper loss than those of other relatives, and we are given a longer period of time to mourn our loss. This makes us realize how much more dependent we are on G-d for our needs.
The custom to wear ribbons is not a Jewish one. Jewish law states that one must rip Kria. One does it on the left side for a parent and on the other side for other relatives. The left side is closer to the heart and represents the deeper loss one feels. It is only the mourners who rip Kria not other family members.
Burial for someone who commits suicide needs to consult their Rabbi as to what is considered - intentional suicide. It may not really be considered suicide because of various circumstances.
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