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Jewish Star Connection
Jewish Star Connection, 2022. Oil on Balsa wood.12 x 12 x 2.
Here is my testimony.
During the Pandemic , It is a horrible and scary time for people from all over the world.
This painting is about how we connected our faith through Jewish Deaf Community. Experienced by virtual sabbaths, participated in sabbath prayers, online classes, and led Festival of Lights menorah paint party. The experience is so amazing because of no barrier during these hard times by Jewish Deaf community. Jewish Deaf people from all over the world have a connection in faith.
Here is my testimony.
During the Pandemic , It is a horrible and scary time for people from all over the world.
This painting is about how we connected our faith through Jewish Deaf Community. Experienced by virtual sabbaths, participated in sabbath prayers, online classes, and led Festival of Lights menorah paint party. The experience is so amazing because of no barrier during these hard times by Jewish Deaf community. Jewish Deaf people from all over the world have a connection in faith.
Lighting Candles
Long Ago Forefathers
Numbers Menorah
Spiritual Beings
NYC menorah
Let My ASL Go!
The dreidel has four sides, each showing a different Hebrew Letter.
How to play Dreidel:
1. Everyone starts with an equal number of game pieces (nuts, coins, etc.)
2. At the beginning of each round, each player puts one piece in the pot.
3. Each player spins the dreidel in turn.
If you get a Shin ש, put a piece in the pot.
Hey ה means you get half the pot.
Nun נ means you get nothing.
Gimel ג means you win the pot.
4. Keep playing until the winner takes all the pieces.
ARTIST STATEMENT
This painting shows dreidels with each side showing four body parts instead of Hebrew letters, a nod to linguicism.
If you get the eye (Shin), put a piece in the pot.
Mouth (Hey) means you get half the pot.
Ear (Nun) means you get nothing.
Hand (Gimel) means you win the pot.
The eye represents what you can visualize or see outward.
The mouth represents being forced to read lips and missing at least half of what is being spoken.
The ear represents hearing nothing.
The hand represents full access through sign language.
Deaf people experience audism — the belief that to hear and to speak is superior to being Deaf — and photocentrism, the belief that spoken language is superior to sign language. In reality, sign language is the most important and richest ingredient for full access. It is the key to our vibrant Deaf community.
Yet linguicism — discrimination based on language — prevails in all Deaf people’s lives, especially those who use sign language primarily. As a result, Deaf people are constantly deprived of language, education, and access, along with equality and equity. Awareness of linguicism promotes awareness of our struggles and ensures that our rights, most especially children, are not denied. Sign language should be celebrated, embraced, and taught. As we pursue equality, we also pursue a place as part of our communities, the broader public, and humankind.
One way to increase awareness is through Deaf Visual Image Art, or De’VIA, such as my painting. Like sign language and our Deaf children, our art should not be isolated and neglected, nor should our language be rendered invisible.
How to play Dreidel:
1. Everyone starts with an equal number of game pieces (nuts, coins, etc.)
2. At the beginning of each round, each player puts one piece in the pot.
3. Each player spins the dreidel in turn.
If you get a Shin ש, put a piece in the pot.
Hey ה means you get half the pot.
Nun נ means you get nothing.
Gimel ג means you win the pot.
4. Keep playing until the winner takes all the pieces.
ARTIST STATEMENT
This painting shows dreidels with each side showing four body parts instead of Hebrew letters, a nod to linguicism.
If you get the eye (Shin), put a piece in the pot.
Mouth (Hey) means you get half the pot.
Ear (Nun) means you get nothing.
Hand (Gimel) means you win the pot.
The eye represents what you can visualize or see outward.
The mouth represents being forced to read lips and missing at least half of what is being spoken.
The ear represents hearing nothing.
The hand represents full access through sign language.
Deaf people experience audism — the belief that to hear and to speak is superior to being Deaf — and photocentrism, the belief that spoken language is superior to sign language. In reality, sign language is the most important and richest ingredient for full access. It is the key to our vibrant Deaf community.
Yet linguicism — discrimination based on language — prevails in all Deaf people’s lives, especially those who use sign language primarily. As a result, Deaf people are constantly deprived of language, education, and access, along with equality and equity. Awareness of linguicism promotes awareness of our struggles and ensures that our rights, most especially children, are not denied. Sign language should be celebrated, embraced, and taught. As we pursue equality, we also pursue a place as part of our communities, the broader public, and humankind.
One way to increase awareness is through Deaf Visual Image Art, or De’VIA, such as my painting. Like sign language and our Deaf children, our art should not be isolated and neglected, nor should our language be rendered invisible.
Grandma 's Chanukkak
Rosh Hashanah
This oil pastel drawing integrates themes of Jewish heritage and Deaf culture. The composition features honey, apples, challah, and candles prominently in the foreground. The upper section of the artwork showcases the sign language for "Torah", accompanied by elements such as bees, doves carrying leaves, and a distinctive honeycomb pattern. (Jewish Deaf Community)
Short Story
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