Judaic Heritage Program for Israel's Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Rabbi Chanoch Yeres, Director (JHPIDHI)
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 Judaic culture and ritual. In addition, there has been a drastic reduction in funding and 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 raising awareness within the deaf community of its Jewish identity by establishing the Judaic Heritage Program for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (JHPIDHI).
The program fosters their individual Jewish identity through intellectually stimulating, creative and innovative programming and courses, transmitted via sign language, which increases their knowledge of Jewish heritage, values and zionism. The program also trains rabbis and educators to communicate via sign language and to bridge the communication gap regarding Jewish heritage issues.
under construction
Special Programs and Events
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program
Tiyul to Hevron
Parashat Hashavua
Holiday Programs
Pesach
Channukah
Lag B'Omer
Shavuot
Tu B'Shvat
Purim
Megilla Reading - Purim 2011 (5771)