A Sheffield woman is hoping to set up a group for Jewish deaf people in Leeds

A Sheffield woman is hoping to set up a group for Jewish deaf people to be based in Leeds.

Sharon Hirshman says there are currently no facilities for Jewish deaf people anywhere in Yorkshire and she is working hard to try to put that right.

She told the Jewish Telegraph: “I have already been in touch with four deaf people in Leeds, including a couple who currently travel to Manchester to meet other Jewish deaf people there.

“At the moment there is nothing organised locally and we get no financial support from anyone.  We have to meet in cafes because there is nowhere else.

“There is a real need for deaf awareness  in the area and there may well be families with deaf children that we don’t know about.

“When we have met in the past it has been a real heart-warming experience to meet up with and chat with one another.”

Sue Cipin, Executive Director of the Jewish Deaf Association says: “People like Sharon, who communicate using sign language, find it incredibly difficult to take part in Jewish communal life.  Jewish Deaf people who are not within easy reach of the JDA’s Community Centre in North  Finchley have nowhere to meet each other and can become isolated from Jewish life.  It would be wonderful if a Jewish organisation in the Leeds area could offer a meeting place for the proposed new group as this will provide new social and networking opportunities for Jewish Deaf people, whilst providing a bridge between Deaf and hearing communities.” 

Anyone interested in helping Sharon set up the group or who wants further information can email her on footieshaz@btopenworld.com

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