Beth Israel: House of Israel, 1997

I have created my own ASL sign for this Deaf Ethiopian-Jewish immigrant in America. The hand shape is the sign for house, except the fingers are signing 'B' and 'I', for the Hebrew 'Beth Israel'. Therefore, this is my own sign for the Hebrew words meaning 'House of Israel'. It is common Deaf practice to create a name sign or a sign for a city. She is wearing traditional clothing from her native Ethiopia. The gold Star of David is the universal sign for the Jews and traditionally adorns the synagogue. Blue and white are the national adorns the synagogue. Blue and white are the national colors of Israel. I wanted this Deaf Jew to feel protected and safe, thus the signing hands are not hers but someone much larger, facing and embracing her.