OUR WAY WELCOMES JEWISH DEAF TO PALM HARBOR FOR OU SHABBATON, MAY 16-17
Young Israel/ Chabad of Pinellas County
3696 Fisher Rd.
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
May 16-17, 2008
This spring season, the Orthodox Union’s Our Way program will bring its popular and meaningful Shabbaton program for Jewish deaf and their families to Palm Harbor (near Tampa), May 16-17. The Shabbaton is designed to meet the specific needs of the deaf and hearing impaired and to provide them with a one-of-a-kind Sabbath experience. It will be held at Young Israel/Chabad of Pinellas County, 3696 Fisher Rd.
Highlights of the Shabbaton include the presence of a Deaf Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi David Kastor. Rabbi Kastor graduated from Gallaudet University with a BA in Computer Science and received his semicha (rabbinical ordination) from Ner Israel in Baltimore. While in Maryland, he started the Ahavas Israel School of the Deaf, located in Frederick, and taught there for two years. Rabbi Kastor has worked for Our Way as Regional Representative of Maryland for more than 18 years. He is married to an Israeli deaf woman, Tchia.
The Shabbaton Host is Daniel Goldberg, who is deaf and is a fluent American Sign Language signer, and who was active in Our Way New England for four years. “I am excited to see a deaf Shabbaton coming to the Tampa area, where there have not been interpreted temple services or events in the past 15 years that I have lived there. I welcome all Jewish deaf to come and share in this special event,” he said.
Along with special programming, the Our Way 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 $35 by May 12 to Our Way Shabbaton, c/o Daniel Goldberg, P.O. Box 270997, Tampa, FL 33688.
For more information contact Mr. Goldberg by TTY relay telephone at 813-960-7978 or video phone at 813-249-1659 or by email at djgpatroits05@verizon.net or Sharon Siegel by voice phone at 727-729-5838.
For information on Our Way national programs, contact Rabbi Eliezer Lederfeind, Director of Our Way, at 212-613-8234 or email ourway@ou.org.