JDA - Jewish Festivals

Jewish Festivals

The JDA brings Judaism into the lives of Deaf people by:

Holding regular cultural events and signed celebrations of Jewish festivals for Deaf people and their families.
Encouraging and assisting in the organisation of sign interpreted and explanatory synagogue services for British Sign Language users.

Another successful JDA Seder 2010

To see photos of this event click here

Every year at the Seder we ask “Why is this night different from all other nights?” This year’s Seder was different from all other Seders … and it was wonderful.

The Members’ Forum had discussed the Seder and decided they would prefer it to be held in the evening, at a different venue. So it was held on the evening of Sunday 21 March 2010 at Hendon Reform Synagogue.

The hall was bright with lots of space and the settings of the tables were beautifully laid out with the best cutlery, crockery and floral displays. The tables were arranged around the hall with chairs in a semi-circle around each table, to enable the members, friends, guests and staff to sit comfortably with a good view of the stage, the interpreter and the big screen at the front of the hall.

The palantypist at the front typed out the dialogue of the service and everything that was said throughout the Seder appeared on the screen.

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klauser, who is part of the Janner family, led the service of Passover beautifully, with the aid of our palantypist Susie Lithman-Romeo and our BSL interpreter, Peter Abrahams.

Rabbi Laura explained each part of the Pesach Service very clearly for the benefit of everyone and encouraged the members to take part in answering her questions.

She was enthralled by some of the members’ signing parts of the Seder Service, and particularly Lydia Handcomb’s excellent acting skills. Lydia acted out each of The Ten Plagues. Lydia was so entertaining that we all laughed too much!

We had the most delicious five-course meal, which consisted of egg in salt water, followed by chopped liver/chopped egg and onion, chicken soup with kneidlach, roast chicken with roast potatoes and vegetables, finishing with apple pudding and parev ice-cream. Various drinks and wine were provided.

After the meal, Rabbi Laura invited us to ask any questions. She told us about herself, her life and her work and was open and very relaxed to answer any questions from anyone on the floor.

The atmosphere was truly enjoyable for everyone involved in this special, unique service for the JDA members and their friends. It was like one big family sharing the Seder service and the meal.

Lastly, before we set off for home, we were given three boxes of Matzos each by the JDA.

Thanks to the JDA and especially to Rabbi Laura … it was a truly memorable evening for us all.

Irene Spielsinger

Comments from Alan and Colleen Daniels:
“We enjoyed the service run by Rabbi Laura Janner-Klauser. The Rabbi made all the JDA members and families feel really welcome to join the service, like a big family.

The meals were very good value for £20 and we can’t complain! There was a lovely layout on each table with nice colours and the hall was nice too. Many members said that the meal was very good.

We would like to thank Ann Clements and the staff for making the event so successful.”

Comments from Ruth and David Myers:
“Congratulations to all involved. We were very impressed with the Seder. Rabbi Laura was great and the meal was impressive. It was a memorable event.”

For more information about the meaning behind the various Jewish Festivals, see the website www.akhlah.com