OU offers Megillah power-point presentation for the deaf

From: Connecticut Jewish Ledger - West Hartford,CT,USA - Mar 16, 2006

Earlier this week, two Connecticut synagogues made the Megillah reading easier for deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the Jewish community.

Both the Emanuel Synagogue of West Hartford and Beth Israel Synagogue of Westport-Norwalk participated in the "Our Way Power Point Megillat Esther Reading."

The power-point presentation is a computer program that can be projected onto a screen in synagogues to enable the deaf or hard-of-hearing to follow along while the Megillah is being read. It comes complete with visual "sound effects" every time the name of Haman is read.

"Our Way," a program of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America is dedicated to facilitating Jewish life for the Jewish deaf. It offers retreats, Shabbatons, athletic programs for children, support services, computer classes in American Sign Language, job coaching and a singles registry for the Jewish deaf. In conjunction with birthright israel, "Our Way" also offers a free 10-day trip to Israel for deaf and hard-of0hearing Jewish young adults.

According to the "Our Way" website, "The mitzvah of hearing Megillat Esther is a requirement of every Jew. Using our Power Point program will facilitate the 'inclusion' of our fellow Jews who are deaf or hard of hearing individuals within your community, to be part of this mitzvah."

For more information about the power-point Megillah presentation, call "Our Way" at (212) 613-8127.

© 2006 Connecticut Jewish Ledger