Hungarian Organisation of Jewish Deaf
The H.O.J.D. was established on April 28, 1992 at Budapest, with the help of the Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association, with the purpose of promoting the hearing impaired of Jewish origin to become more involved in matters concerning Jewish traditions and Jewish culture.
At the time of foundation, the Association counted 20 members, consisting mainly of those elderly people who used to be former members of a similar association functioning before WW2.
At that time, Jewish hearing impaired children were educated in a separate institute, where they learnt the rules and traditions of the Jewish religion. Many Jewish hearing impaired were killed in the course of the Holocaust, and later on, after the war was over, many survivors emigrated to Israel, or to the United States. Many of those remaining at home entered into a mixed marriage, quite a few ceased to practice their religion, thus the young generation was grew up without even knowing their religion. At the time of its foundation, it was the major aim of the Association that the next generation shall be raised so that this failure be cured.
Beside that, we organize many events for our members through which they can meet with each other and they may spend their spare time together - excursions, visits at museums, etc. The events organized for celebrating the Jewish feasts were visited by a series of famous and significant personalities, and also the fellow members of similar association visited us from abroad, such as the members of the British Jewish Deaf Union.
Furthermore, we consider as our task to take care of our memories. Such an event took place in 1994, when we placed a commemorative tablet at the wall of the former National Israelite Institute for Deaf-mute at the 50th anniversary of the Holocaust.
We try to do our best in order to help our members, to some extent, also in their financial needs: the Association gives financial contribution to the price of rehabilitation equipment, for example hearing-aid, teletext, fax machines. We also organize teaching courses for children if requested.
The president of HOJD is Mihaly Hollo, it's secretary is Zsuzsanna Szabo. Our registered seat is at Budapest, VI. Revay st. 16., in the Balint Jewish Community Center. We have meetings every two weeks. Our program is published semi-annually in details.
E-mail address: mhzse@ort.jcc.hu
