OUR WAY WELCOMES JEWISH DEAF TO CINCINNATI FOR OU SHABBATON, JUNE 8-9
With the summer season right around the corner, the Orthodox Union’s Our Way program will bring its popular and meaningful Shabbaton program for the Jewish deaf and their families to Cincinnati, June 8-9. The Shabbaton is designed to meet the specific needs of the deaf and hearing impaired and provide them with a one-of-a-kind Sabbath experience. It will be held at Golf Manor Synagogue, 6442 Stover Avenue.
Highlights of the weekend include the presence of Deaf Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi David Kastor. Rabbi Kastor has worked for Our Way as a regional representative for Maryland for almost 18 years. He is deaf and married to a deaf Israeli woman, Tchia. Rabbi Kastor graduated with a BA in Computer
Science from Gallaudet University, and received his semicha (rabbinical ordination) from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore three years ago. He started the Ahavas Israel School of the Deaf in Fredrick, MA, and taught there for two years.
The Deaf Resident Couple, who will be welcoming guests, are Morton and Rivka Goldberg, who married at the Golf Manor Synagogue more than 30 years ago.
The couple has been active with Our Way for six years, and their hearing son, Joey, has worked for Our Way as the regional representative of Ohio for four years.
The Deaf Host, Harold Levy, whose great-grandfather was one of the founders and presidents of the Golf Manor Synagogue (formerly Forest Ave Synagogue in Avondale), also looks forward to welcoming guests. He worked for the Deaf Asia Foundation, and earned his bachelors degree from Gallaudet University and a M. Ed. from McDaniel College.
Along with special programming, the Shabbaton will provide three delicious meals and snacks; an interpreted synagogue service; a beginner’s prayer service; child care; and an opportunity to join together with others from the deaf community to live and learn about Judaism.
To attend, send an application and check for $30 by June 1 to Our Way Shabbaton, c/o Harold Levy, 9800 Timbers Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242.
For more information contact the Goldbergs at 866-327-8877(relay), or 513-351-0649 (video phone), or Harold Levy at harmar411@aol.com, or Hope Bard, 513-766-3348 (voice phone).
For information on Our Way national programs, contact Rabbi Eliezer Lederfeind, Director of Our Way, at 212-613-8234 or email ourway@ou.org.