JEWISH PRAYERS TRANSLATED INTO SIGN LANGUAGE

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

Department of Public Relations

Main Office:
333 Seventh Ave.
New York, NY 10001

Phone: 212-613-8321
Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail: media@ou.org

Sharyn Perlman
Director

June 15, 1999

JEWISH PRAYERS TRANSLATED INTO SIGN LANGUAGE

Our Way Makes Ancient Prayers Deaf-Friendly

Orthodox Union: Translated into Spanish, French, Dutch and Flemish, the Jewish prayer book is found in most major languages. Except one: sign language, the primary mode of communication used by deaf individuals around the world.

In a new initiative timed to coincide with Deaf/Blind Awareness Week (beg. June 21), Our Way, the Orthodox Union’s program for the deaf, is translating significant prayers into sign language.

Deaf/Blind Awareness Week is celebrated annually in commemoration of the birth date of Helen Keller (born June 27, 1880).

"Through this translation, we hope to show deaf Jews that Judaism is part of their culture. Deaf culture and Jewish culture are not at odds; they can and do work in tandem," said Rabbi Eliezer Lederfiend, National Director of Our Way.

Our Way’s first translation is that of the Friday night blessing for the Sabbath candles. The translation, which features attractive illustrations of the ancient blessing and is available in a laminated chart, was sent to over 1,000 Jewish families touched by deafness. The chart also includes a brief synopsis of the laws and customs of lighting Sabbath candles.

"Because the deaf have a ‘hidden handicap,’ we are more inclined to overlook their sense of alienation," said Rabbi Lederfiend. "The deaf person does not have a cane or a wheelchair. Deafness is a silent disability.

Hopefully, this translation will help acknowledge deafness as a handicap, deafness as a culture and the unique contribution that deafness brings to Jewish life," he added.

The prayer was translated by Techiya Kastor, a deaf Jewish woman. Kastor worked with a well-known artist who depicted the various signs.

The translation is available to the public for a minimal donation. Proceeds will go to the Our Way Scholarship Fund.

EDITORS: For a free copy of the translation, please contact 212-613-8182.

Our Way, a division of the National Jewish Council for the Disabled, is a leader in promoting deaf understanding.

Established in 1969, Our Way is a national movement with chapters throughout the United States and Canada that provides a vast array of educational, recreational and religious programs to help combat the acute social and spiritual alienation of the Jewish deaf population.

For more information, please call Shmuel Landau at TTY/relay or fax 908-352-7395.

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