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COMMUNITY 15 JDA celebrates its platinum jubilee
The Jewish Deaf Association (JDA) celebrated its Platinum Jubilee with a spectacular event organised by Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users for 100 guests from the Deaf signing community.
Whilst paying tribute to the JDA’s invaluable work at the heart of the Deaf community over the past 70 years, the event also reunited lifelong friends – now aged 63 – 97 years - who grew up together at the Residential School for Jewish Deaf Children (RSJDC).
Carolyn Nabarro, like so many Deaf children before her, was sent away to live at the school when she was 2 years old. Jewish Deaf children lived there together until they were 16. They were taught orally by hearing teachers and encouraged to speak rather than sign. This was a struggle for some children. Back in those days, some Deaf schools punished their pupils for using sign language.
Four elders of the community – Miriam, Harold, Martin and Leslie (all of whom grew up at the school and have been members of the Jewish Deaf Association since it opened 70 years ago) cut a stunning 70th Anniversary cake, created by deaf baker Ravit Freeman of Peaks and Swirls.
All eyes were on Harold Fallman when he pressed the big red button and fireworks appeared! This was the big moment everyone had been waiting for – the launch of the new Jewish Deaf History (London) website – www.jdeafhistorylondon.co.uk.
Four elders of the JDA community cut the 70th Anniversary cake
The website is crammed with Jewish Deaf people’s stories, photos, videos and memorabilia, preserving the history of the JDA, World Organisation of Jewish Deaf, Jewish Deaf Sports and the RSJDC, which was founded in in 1865 and closed down in 1965. The website was generously sponsored by Harold Fallman, who has been a JDA member since he was 16 years old. Now, at 86, he is lovingly cared for by JDA’s dedicated team of support workers, who look after the older members of the Deaf community like family. The website was created by Ben Glover, a professional Deaf video designer. The content was compiled thanks to months of hard work from Deaf volunteers Barry David, Ann Clements, Mira Goldberg (JDA Trustee), Linda Woolfe, Carolyn Denmark, Sara Olsen and Daniel Clements, supported by the help and input of many Deaf people in the community.
Ann and Carolyn both come from Deaf families. Ann’s parents met through the JDA, which is also where she met her late husband Harvey. JDA has been a great dating agency for so many Deaf couples over the decades!
Ann now works at the Jewish Deaf Association managing Dcafe, its signing café, where she has trained a team of unemployed Deaf volunteers to create delicious menus and run a vibrant meeting place where Deaf people love to socialise together.
Ann said: “During lockdown, I was sorting out our hundreds of old family photos. I came across historical photographs, including from RSJDC, JDA and Deaf Sports such as the Deaf Olympics. I thought to myself, ‘why keep these hidden in boxes and albums?’
“Everything really took off from there and we’ve had some great finds – such as the census for RSJDC dating back to 1871 and so many fabulous photographs and videos from over the decades.”
Carolyn added: “We are very proud of our achievement. This is a much-needed and valuable website for present and future generations to enjoy.”
JDA enables deaf people – young, old and everyone in between – to overcome daily obstacles in our hearing world, and to get the very best out of life. It’s the only place where Jewish Deaf and Deafblind signers can receive the support they need, enjoy life together and feel a sense of belonging.
JDA Chief Executive, Sue Cipin says: “As we join The Queen in celebrating our Platinum Jubilee, we’re so proud to celebrate 70 years of our loving, caring, laughing, wonderful JDA community. Here’s to many more years of creating Jewish Deaf history together!”
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