Deaf Kids Get to ‘Hear’ the Megillah

A unique event took place on Monday in Haifa: the first public reading of Megillats – for deaf children. The reading took place under the auspices of the “Micha” organization, a Hebrew acronym that stands for “teachers of deaf children.”

The reading took place in a special room equipped with a unique acoustic floor and ceiling that bounces sounds onto the hearing aids of those with severe hearing problems. Thus, the children were able to “hear” the Megillah, read by a volunteer Yeshiva student. Afterwards, staff asked the children questions about Purim and about the story of Esther and the Jews’ rescue from the plots of Haman, as described in the Megillah.

Speaking to Arutz 7, Dafna Frumer of the Micha organization, said that the purpose of the reading was to demonstrate that all Israelis could – and should – experience and enjoy Purim, regardless of disability.

“The deaf are part of our society,” she said, urging those in charge of public buildings to equip them with “deaf-friendly” floors and ceilings. “It’s a small price to pay,” Frumer said. “Children and adults should be made to feel part of society, and that includes the symbolic elements of the holidays, such as the reading of the Megillah.”

{Arutz-7}

{Matzav.com}