Historically, deaf people have been pretty much ignored by the hearing community. The general feeling has been, “They’re just too difficult to communicate with, so why bother?” However, throughout history, many deaf people have made a name for themselves, and in spite of their hearing impairment, they have stood out and contributed their skills for…
Dear Pop, I want to do something fun with my kids this Halloween season that’s scary, but not too expensive. I looked into Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night and discovered that the least expensive ticket is $72 per person. Ouch! Have any ideas what my family can do this Halloween season? Fun Dad Dear Fun…
I was a member of Temple Judea, a reform synagogue in Tarzana, California, for twenty-five years. Even after a virus robbed me of most of my hearing and forced me out of my tenured sixth grade teaching assignment, I stayed a temple member. Though I couldn’t understand a word of the rabbi’s sermons or capable…
“Grandpa, why are you wearing that red plastic flower on your shirt?” Mitch pointed to a poppy on his grandfather’s breast pocket. “It’s Memorial Day,” Grandpa said. Mitch flopped on the floor in front of Grandpa’s chair. “Duh! No school today.” “Memorial Day is more than that. I wear this flower in honor of…
Dear Pop, Last year I was invited to my first Passover Seder at a home in Encino. I really enjoyed myself as everyone read from the Haggadah, the spiritual text, but that matzah. Why do Jews eat that tasteless, flour/water flatbread for eight days and why do some Jews have two Seders? Curious Christian Dear…
Dear Pop, I love American History, but I can’t motivate my children’s interest. They won’t watch the History Channel with me nor are they interested in the books I bring home for them to read. What can I do? History Buff Dear History Buff, When my daughters were growing up, I made it a…
Passover, the Jewish celebration of the Exodus, begins Friday evening, April 19, 2019 with the first Seder, and ends Saturday evening, April 27. This is the time when Jews throughout the world remember the years their ancestors were slaves in Egypt and escaped under the leadership of Moses. Carol Meyers, an archeologist and professor…
Savannah is a communications major at a prominent university. One day, while walking across campus, she eyes a guy she can’t resist. He is absolutely gorgeous. The communications major is taking American Sign Language (ASL) with Prof. Stockton to fulfill her language requirement. One homework assignment is to attend a Deaf event….
Why is February Black History Month and not March or April? Historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson initially called Black History Month “Negro History Week.” The son of former slaves, Woodson was one of the first African-Americans to receive a doctorate degree from Harvard University. Woodson made it his life’s work to make sure Black…
When I taught middle school I told my students that they could make a difference in this world. What they achieved didn’t have to be earth shattering, just a spark of inspiration that would affect others. I said, “Just start with the belief that you can do something that benefits others.” Below is the story…