Jewish Deaf Tidbits
Wexner Fellowship
Marla Berkowitz of New York is one of the ten recipients of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship program at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Berkowitz's goal is to obtain a Masters Degree in Jewish Education and specialize in Jewish Education. The purpose of this fellowship is to nurture Jewish leaders in the Northern American Jewish community to develop skills in building a strong Jewish community. By doing that, Wexner provides financial and professional training for Jewish leaders to develop professional skills in leading and serving communities with opportunities to develop innovative resources.
Fulbright Grant
Michael Kaufer of New York has been awarded a Fulbright Grant. A graduate of Gallaudet University, Kaufer will be going to Japan in October to study that country's language and culture.
NYSD Sued By Former Home Director
Caroline Torge, 28, former director of New York Society for the Deaf's home serving deaf residents, is accusing the home that mentally disabled patients were treated "like animals", beaten, drugged and robbed of their Social Security benefits. In a $12 million lawsuit filed in July, Torge also claims of sexual abuse and molestation and that she had reported the alleged abuses to her boss but was told to keep quiet and not tell authorities. She subsequently told state authorities about the alleged abuses and of fraudulent billing practices and was demoted. Allen Rich, her attorney, outlined the allegations in the lawsuit which involves six deaf patients with mental disabilities. NYSD executive director Pearl Johnson reportedly said she was aware of, but would not comment on, the lawsuit. The home, located on Manhattan's Lower East Side, receives funds from United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and other private and government money.
Jewish Deaf Temple Treasurer Arrested
Gerald Hersh, treasurer of Temple Beth Or of the Deaf was arrested by Nassau County police on July 17th on charges of embezzling more than $40,000 over a five year period according to NewsDay. "The theft has had a very bad effect on us says Alice P. Soll of River Edge, N.J. who has previously served as president. Her signature was allegedly forged on 57 checks. "It has given our membership feelings of anger and betrayal after trusting him. We will have to start over again in our fund-raising which will not be easy," she says. The temple, in its 36th year, currently has 89 members and in recent years began meeting at the LaGuardia Marriott Hotel in Elmhurst, Queens for worship services and breakfasts. The embezzlement was discovered when Hersh would not provide bank statements or cancelled checks. A subsequent audit revealed that he took $40,152 from the temple and faces up to seven years in prison if found guilty to charges of grand larceny and forgery.
Son of JDCC Founder Appears In Play
Joshua Ari Soudakoff, elder son of JDCC Founder Sharon Ann Soudakoff, appeared in the Fountain Theatre's presentation of, "Sweet Nothing in My Ear", a play revolving around a deaf mother and hearing father of their deaf son, Adam and the conflicts when a doctor suggests that Adam may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. Joshua played the role of Adam, relieving Gio, son of actress Terrylene. He appeared along with other big names including Bernard Bragg, Freda Norman, Terrylene and Vikee Waltrip.
Philadelphia Turns 90 Years Old!
Philadelphia Hebrew Association of the Deaf will celebrate its 90th
Anniversary Banquet on October 19th at the Melrose Country Club in Cheltenham,
PA.
Jewish Deaf Singles
Since the Jewish Deaf Singles Registry had been formed, they would not accept applications from people who had been previously married. This policy has now changed. The Registry gives opportunities for people to meet other Jewish Deaf Singles and is sponsored by the Orthodox Union/Our Way. It is open to all Jews. Board Members are Beryl Kohn, Leah Weinstock, Yaara Brahm, and Coordinator Samuel Landau. For more information, contact JDSR at P.O. Box 10-0711 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210-0711.
Twenty First Anniversary
Beth Torah of the Deaf celebrates their 21st Annual Melave Malka on
November 29, 1997 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Guest of honor is Michael J. Goldberg.
The Kesher Shem Tov award will go to Rabbi and Mrs. Asher Goldsein.
New Exhibit
My Jewish Discovery Museum in Los Angeles opened their latest exhibit,
"Me, You and Dignity" on August 21st as part of ongoing programs.
Joshua and Michael Soudakoff's photographs and story of their Shabbat experience
with their grandmother, Phyliss Dror, is displayed along with the Jewish
experiences of other children who are disabled.
Our Way - New Torah Program
Our Way/NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth) is studying Pirke Avos, Ethics of our Fathers. They have established a Torah Learning Fund which will cover cost of TTY phone bills for people participating in their program. This learning program takes place between a teacher and a student at an agreed time and is available for both beginners and advanced learners. It was started in memory of Jewish Deaf people who were killed during the Holocaust. Contact Mordy Weis for more information at 6108 Gist Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215 or email at mwiseguy@aol.com
Saying The Brachah
Rabbi Eliezer Lederfeind of Orthodox Union's 'Our Way' deaf program
in New York has a program for deaf and hard of hearing youngsters. They
have developed written educational materials "designed to help deaf
Jews perform mitzvot in ways most meaningful to them. Among these are handbooks
on how to 'sign' brachot." OU/NCSY explains that signing a brachah
is a "rich expression of devotion to the mitzvah, requiring considerably
more concentration than quickly mouthing a few words. One must study the
chart demonstrating the brachah in sign language, absorb the significance
of the words, and then speak to Hashem both orally and with a series of
gestures..." Techia Kastor directed the development of a sign chart
for the program with artwork done by Esky Cook. Rabbi Lederfeind is currently
trying to raise $5,000 to produce several thousand laminated copies of the
sign chart for distribution to Jews of all ages. For more information, contact
Rabbi Lederfeind at OU/NCSY, 212/613-8234 Voice.
Father Speaks of Camp Ramah Experience
For five days in the Summer of 1997, Camp Ramah held the Kesher Program.
The Kesher Program is a program for deaf Jewish children and their families.
Gregory Pollock, age 8, and his father attended. (Pittsburgh PA, Tree of
Life Synagogue.) The group consisted of thirty-eight individuals, twelve
families plus 11 staff members. (The most committed, hardest working staff
you have ever seen!) All activities including religious services, educational
programs, discussion groups and social events were Sign Language Interpreted.
We were provided the opportunity to learn in both American and Israeli Sign
Language. The Kesher Program provided all of us an opportunity to LIVE Judaism
in our hearts, through our eyes and our souls. Judaism reaching out to bring
us in. It was truly the experience of a lifetime!
Deaf Israeli Bar Mitzvah Ceremony
Silent News has reported that a group of twelve boys and three girls
from Kiach School for the Deaf attended a Bar Mitzvah ceremony for Avraham
Molihov of Jerusalem which took place recently at the Conservative Congregation
of Moreshet Avraham. This Special Prayer Service was organized by the Special
Education Program in the Masorati Movement. Rabbi Howard Marcose says he
would welcome any Deaf child from the English speaking world to have a Bar
or Bat Mitzvah in the holy city of Jerusalem. For information, contact Rabbi
Marcose at Congregation Moreshet Avraham, e-mail: marcose@netvision.net.il
or 011-972-2-672-3529 Voice.
Beth Torah Hosts Forum
Beth Torah of the Deaf in New York is hosting a Forum in Brooklyn, NY on September 14th with community Orthodox Rabbis and Jewish deaf individuals to discuss the needs of, and ways of increasing awareness regarding deaf members in their congregations. They have compiled a questionnaire that they have mailed to Jewish Deaf organizations. "We understand that there are no simple solutions to the problems that deaf/hearing impaired persons face in the Orthodox community," Beth Torah of the Deaf board members elaborate, "but with your cooperation, this Forum could be a first step toward beginning to improve the situation and benefitting many." For more info., contact Beth Torah of the Deaf , c/o Michael Goldberg 1293 E. 21st St, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210.
Schaap Transfers To Yeshivah In New Jersey
Michael Schaap, who was among the students of the Hebrew Seminary of the Deaf (HSD) interviewed for an article on the Seminary in a previous issue of JDCC News, has informed JDCC that he has decided to leave HSD. "I most definitely still want to become a Rabbi for the Deaf, I just want to get educated by a different school. For the next nine months I am going to be studying at a Yeshivah in Morristown, NJ. I feel confident that I will learn a lot." Among the reasons given for this change, Schaap feels that HSD does not understand the needs of the Deaf as well as the Deaf student. Schaap, who is deaf, also feels that HSD did not have a sound and complete education plan. While he says Rabbi Goldhammer is "an incredible teacher," he explains that Goldhammer's schedule is so hectic that the class at first met monthly, then later it was changed to a single meeting. He also feels that HSD misrepresented themselves in saying that they would be accredited by The Jewish Theological Seminary by the time Schaap is ordained. Schaap has learned "through various means including Rabbi Lebeau, Vice Chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary, that this is not in fact true."