Judaic Heritage Program for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired

The need to educate Israel’s deaf community in Judaism and Zionism is overwhelming. There are approximately 18,000 deaf people in Israel in addition to the 200,000 who are hearing impaired. A major communication gap often prevents the deaf in Israel from participating in Zionist, Judaic culture and ritual. In addition, there has been a gradual recession regarding services offered by the “establishment” institutions to help the deaf.

For these reasons, the Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel has committed itself to raise awareness of Jewish identity among the deaf community by establishing the Judaic Heritage Program for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.

The program fosters their Jewish identity through Intellectually stimulating courses, transmitted via sign language, which increases their knowledge of Jewish heritage and Zionism. The program also trains Rabbis and educators to communicate via sign language and to bridge the communication gap regarding Jewish heritage issues.

Events

Bat and Bat Mitzvah Program

Leadership and Judaic Heritage Course for the Deaf

Holiday Program: Channukah

Continuous Education Programs