Miss-Delectable
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'They hear with their eyes' :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Religion
Jews mark a new year at sundown and will attend Rosh Hashana services over the next day or two, depending on the tradition.
It's the holy day linked to sound. Jews are obligated to hear the mournful blasts that come from a shofar, which is made from a ram's horn.
Hearing the shofar is considered a mitzvah -- or commandment. Nona Balk, 57, of Lincolnwood, says deaf people want to fulfill the commandment, too.
At Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie, when the shofar is blown, a timpani is struck so deaf members feel the drum's vibrations.
Balk hears some sounds with a hearing aid and uses sign language to interpret the shofar for deaf members.
"It's very, very meaningful," she said.
The synagogue, founded more than 30 years ago for deaf Jews, has blossomed into a hearing and deaf congregation of 220 families.
Sign language is used throughout services by the rabbis, the cantor and choirs.
"Growing up, I didn't have a clue about Jewish education because there were no resources for the deaf," Balk said. "Now I feel and see the spirit move in everybody."
Rosh Hashana begins a 10-day period of introspection known as the "Days of Awe," the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar. The piercing blasts of the shofar are meant to awaken the soul.
Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer said he tells deaf members it's not necessary for them to hear the shofar, but to understand.
"Deaf people do understand," he said. "And they hear with their eyes and their hearts."
Jews mark a new year at sundown and will attend Rosh Hashana services over the next day or two, depending on the tradition.
It's the holy day linked to sound. Jews are obligated to hear the mournful blasts that come from a shofar, which is made from a ram's horn.
Hearing the shofar is considered a mitzvah -- or commandment. Nona Balk, 57, of Lincolnwood, says deaf people want to fulfill the commandment, too.
At Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie, when the shofar is blown, a timpani is struck so deaf members feel the drum's vibrations.
Balk hears some sounds with a hearing aid and uses sign language to interpret the shofar for deaf members.
"It's very, very meaningful," she said.
The synagogue, founded more than 30 years ago for deaf Jews, has blossomed into a hearing and deaf congregation of 220 families.
Sign language is used throughout services by the rabbis, the cantor and choirs.
"Growing up, I didn't have a clue about Jewish education because there were no resources for the deaf," Balk said. "Now I feel and see the spirit move in everybody."
Rosh Hashana begins a 10-day period of introspection known as the "Days of Awe," the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar. The piercing blasts of the shofar are meant to awaken the soul.
Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer said he tells deaf members it's not necessary for them to hear the shofar, but to understand.
"Deaf people do understand," he said. "And they hear with their eyes and their hearts."