Posted for Michelle Katz

[Adrian A. Durlester <durleste...>]

Hi, I'm a new person to this list and have enjoyed the many discussions
over the last couple of months.

I used to be the music specialist at a congretation in Pittsburgh where we
used sign extensively in our religious school to enhance the teaching of
t'filot.  We had a movement/dance specialist who was both Jewish and
deaf who taught the sign for the Barechu, Shema and Mi Chamocha.  I
believe it added so much toboth the musical and worship  experience of
the kids  (not to mention how great it was  having dance and movement a
regular part of the religious school curriculum!)

I am now living in State College, PA where we have a very small
congregation.  There is an interest in incorporating sign language into the
worship at the Young Family Service.  One of the parents has been
working with a member of the deaf community here in town, but who is
not Jewish.  I did not know that there were very specific sign language
translations of the various prayers, such as the Shema, and am glad to
have learned it. I will explore that for our congregation.

Does anyone think it important to have the sign taught directly to the
children by someone in the deaf community, or is it acceptable to simply
learn it and then pass it on.

Sorry to be so long winded.  I'll be more succinct the next time.

Michelle


>>> Carole Rivel <crivel (at) cloud9(dot)net> 04/20/98 08:50pm >>>
E.J. Cohen, who has taught many of us and has so much to offer, can be 
reached via e-mail at: ej2323 (at) aol(dot)com
She does have a video available.
Carole