Sign Interpreter available at Congregation Beth Israel

April 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Congregation Beth Israel is joining synagogues across the country in recognizing Jewish Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Awareness Shabbat on Friday, May 4, 2012, 6:30pm, at a Shabbat service at the synagogue, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. This initiative was begun by the Jewish Deaf Resource Center (JDRC), an organization which helps build bridges between Jewish individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and the organizations which serve the Jewish community.

Senior Rabbi Michael Pincus explains, "This particular Shabbat was chosen because on that day our Torah reading includes Parshat Kedoshim, which says "Do not insult the deaf..."  Our synagogue community welcomes the Jewish Deaf community. We are participating in this program to raise awareness among our congregants and the community about the need for individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing to have access to our Jewish communal life.”

President Jeffrey Winnick said he is proud of Beth Israel’s efforts to reach out to the deaf community. “We have special funding that will pay for a state-certified sign interpreter whenever we are aware of deaf or hard-of hearing individuals who want to attend our services. We try to open our hearts and doors to those with special needs.”

Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform synagogue whose mission is to serve the lifelong spiritual and educational needs of its congregants, within a welcoming and caring contemporary Reform Jewish community. The service will be sign-interpreted and the public is invited, deaf and hearing. RSVP bethisrael@cbict.org, 860-233-8215, or visit www.cbict.org for more information.