By CLAUDIA FELDMAN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
RICHMOND — Until Ileene Robinson jumped into the fray, her sister and the handful of mentally retarded Jews in Texas state schools celebrated Christian holidays as if they were their own.
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They had no idea about Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which begins at sundown tonight. Or other holidays such as Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.
Robinson changed that with a simple Hanukkah party that she gave for her sister, Rita Sue Rosenfield, and other residents at the Richmond State School in 1999. She added Passover and Rosh Hashana in 2000. Each year after that, the celebrations grew.
Earlier this week Robinson, working with 90 volunteers, two rabbis and a dozen school staff members, hosted the largest Rosh Hashana service yet. The five Jewish residents from Richmond attended, along with five from Brenham State School.
Only two of the 10 can speak, so their friends raised their voices in prayer and helped bring in the new year, 5767.
Rita Sue entered the chapel fidgeting and grumpy because she didn't want to wear the brown suit jacket her sister thought perfect for the holiday service.
It was OK. She didn't have to wear it.
Seth Robertson was so delighted to be in the chapel with his mother that he wanted the two of them to clap hands.
That was fine, too.
"This is so special to me," said Dora Robertson, her arm around her son. "Seth didn't have religious experiences growing up. There were no special education classes or anything like that. This seems to reach him and gives us an opportunity to celebrate the Jewish holidays together. Every time, I cry — tears of joy."
'Sincerity and heart'
The Jewish education program has grown beyond holidays and even to other state schools. Today, a rabbi visits the Richmond school once a month. And volunteers lead simple Friday services.
"All these years," said Julius Karp, who helps to bankroll the local program, "the Jewish residents have been celebrating Christmas and Easter. They never knew what it was to celebrate their own holidays.
"You think they don't understand," Karp said. "They do."
No question, Robinson said.
"When we first started holding services, the residents were sort of disruptive. Now they are calm and very respectful. They listen. They participate. Sometimes my sister will say, 'Amen.' Today she was saying, 'holiday, holiday.' She was remembering how nice her holiday was."
The Richmond chapel was decorated with flowers. In the back, a table was set with china and crystal.
Rabbi Dovid Goldstein, representing Chabad Outreach of Houston, conducted the service.
"This room may not be as full as a synagogue," he said, "but what counts is sincerity and heart. We will commit that this year will be a better year."
After a short prayer, Max Uzick of Congregation Beth Yeshurun blew the shofar, a ram's horn.
It was as loud as a police siren. Goldstein smiled at the startled faces.
"The shofar wakes us up," he said, "and forces us to prioritize, to do what's really important."
'No deposit, no return'
Goldstein told a New Year's story about a boy who was celebrating his 13th birthday and expecting an expensive gift from his grandfather. Instead, he received a Coke bottle.
A young woman on the front row interrupted Goldstein. "I want to eat," she said.
The rabbi smiled. "One minute," and he returned to his story. "And the grandfather says, 'If you want to be successful, follow the instructions on the Coke bottle.' It says no deposit, no return."
Reaching everyone
Goldstein thanked the volunteers and said he hoped to engage them in yet another project — this one to reach mentally retarded Jews in group homes and Jewish seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living centers.
"I want to eat," the front row woman repeated.
One song, Goldstein said, and he moved to the piano to play a short version of Hava Nagila.
Everybody who was inclined got up and danced.
And then, the service ended. Guests were invited to dip apple slices in honey to ensure a sweet new year. Residents moved to the dinner table, where they feasted on a kosher meal.
Gary Swartz, past president of Congregation Beth Yeshurun, said the services are a pleasure for residents, "who never had any good luck in life."
And a pleasure for the visitors, who remember what the Jewish traditions are really about.
Swartz didn't want to seem too sentimental, so he made a joke:
"This is the best service around," he said. "It goes 30 minutes, then, lunch."
claudia.feldman@chron.com
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
RICHMOND — Until Ileene Robinson jumped into the fray, her sister and the handful of mentally retarded Jews in Texas state schools celebrated Christian holidays as if they were their own.
ADVERTISEMENT
They had no idea about Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which begins at sundown tonight. Or other holidays such as Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.
Robinson changed that with a simple Hanukkah party that she gave for her sister, Rita Sue Rosenfield, and other residents at the Richmond State School in 1999. She added Passover and Rosh Hashana in 2000. Each year after that, the celebrations grew.
Earlier this week Robinson, working with 90 volunteers, two rabbis and a dozen school staff members, hosted the largest Rosh Hashana service yet. The five Jewish residents from Richmond attended, along with five from Brenham State School.
Only two of the 10 can speak, so their friends raised their voices in prayer and helped bring in the new year, 5767.
Rita Sue entered the chapel fidgeting and grumpy because she didn't want to wear the brown suit jacket her sister thought perfect for the holiday service.
It was OK. She didn't have to wear it.
Seth Robertson was so delighted to be in the chapel with his mother that he wanted the two of them to clap hands.
That was fine, too.
"This is so special to me," said Dora Robertson, her arm around her son. "Seth didn't have religious experiences growing up. There were no special education classes or anything like that. This seems to reach him and gives us an opportunity to celebrate the Jewish holidays together. Every time, I cry — tears of joy."
'Sincerity and heart'
The Jewish education program has grown beyond holidays and even to other state schools. Today, a rabbi visits the Richmond school once a month. And volunteers lead simple Friday services.
"All these years," said Julius Karp, who helps to bankroll the local program, "the Jewish residents have been celebrating Christmas and Easter. They never knew what it was to celebrate their own holidays.
"You think they don't understand," Karp said. "They do."
No question, Robinson said.
"When we first started holding services, the residents were sort of disruptive. Now they are calm and very respectful. They listen. They participate. Sometimes my sister will say, 'Amen.' Today she was saying, 'holiday, holiday.' She was remembering how nice her holiday was."
The Richmond chapel was decorated with flowers. In the back, a table was set with china and crystal.
Rabbi Dovid Goldstein, representing Chabad Outreach of Houston, conducted the service.
"This room may not be as full as a synagogue," he said, "but what counts is sincerity and heart. We will commit that this year will be a better year."
After a short prayer, Max Uzick of Congregation Beth Yeshurun blew the shofar, a ram's horn.
It was as loud as a police siren. Goldstein smiled at the startled faces.
"The shofar wakes us up," he said, "and forces us to prioritize, to do what's really important."
'No deposit, no return'
Goldstein told a New Year's story about a boy who was celebrating his 13th birthday and expecting an expensive gift from his grandfather. Instead, he received a Coke bottle.
A young woman on the front row interrupted Goldstein. "I want to eat," she said.
The rabbi smiled. "One minute," and he returned to his story. "And the grandfather says, 'If you want to be successful, follow the instructions on the Coke bottle.' It says no deposit, no return."
Reaching everyone
Goldstein thanked the volunteers and said he hoped to engage them in yet another project — this one to reach mentally retarded Jews in group homes and Jewish seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living centers.
"I want to eat," the front row woman repeated.
One song, Goldstein said, and he moved to the piano to play a short version of Hava Nagila.
Everybody who was inclined got up and danced.
And then, the service ended. Guests were invited to dip apple slices in honey to ensure a sweet new year. Residents moved to the dinner table, where they feasted on a kosher meal.
Gary Swartz, past president of Congregation Beth Yeshurun, said the services are a pleasure for residents, "who never had any good luck in life."
And a pleasure for the visitors, who remember what the Jewish traditions are really about.
Swartz didn't want to seem too sentimental, so he made a joke:
"This is the best service around," he said. "It goes 30 minutes, then, lunch."
claudia.feldman@chron.com
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