The Jewish Deaf Association marked its own platinum jubilee with an event for 100 guests from the deaf signing community.

Held at the Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue in Whetstone — a staunch supporter of the JDA — the event also served as a reunion for those now in their 60s and above who attended the Residential School for Jewish Deaf Children.

Former pupils Harold Fallman, Miriam Solomon, Leslie Bieber and Martin Binysh cut the birthday cake, created by deaf baker Ravit Freeman of Peaks and Swirls.

The celebration additionally launched a new website — www.jdeafhistorylondon.co.uk.

This features stories, photos, videos and memorabilia from the JDA, the World Organisation of Jewish Deaf and the residential school, which was founded in 1865 and closed 100 years later.

It has been sponsored by Mr Fallman — a JDA member from the age of 16 — and is the product of months of work by volunteers including Barry David, Ann Clements, Mira Goldberg, Linda Woolfe, Carolyn Denmark, Sara Olsen and Daniel Clements, supported with the input of many deaf people in the community.

Ms Clements explained: “During lockdown, I was sorting out hundreds of old family photos. I came across historical photographs, including from RSJDC, JDA and deaf sports such as the Deaf Olympics and wondered why we were keeping these hidden. Everything really took off from there and we’ve had some great finds — such as the census for RSJDC from 1871 and so many fabulous photographs and videos from over the decades.”

JDA works to enable deaf people of all ages to overcome daily obstacles and, ultimately, to get the very best out of life.

Its chief executive, Sue Cipin, said that “as we join the Queen in celebrating our platinum jubilee, we’re so proud to celebrate 70 years of our loving, caring, laughing, wonderful JDA community. Here’s to many more years of creating Jewish deaf history together.”

Meanwhile, over 60 people joined Manchester Reform Synagogue’s second British Sign Language Shabbat at the weekend, many having travelled significant distances to participate. Others who could not attend in person followed proceedings online.

Congregants observed how universally accessible the service was. Not only were British Sign Language users able to follow the format. Older Manchester Reform members welcomed the slower and clearer pace of the rabbi and interpreter.

”We are seeing the community develop organically out of the service with both deaf and hearing members even going out for coffee afterwards,” reported community leader Alison Branitsky. “We now have the beginnings of the formation of a deaf Jewish network across the North of England.”

Manchester Reform principal rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen is delighted with the progress and is herself learning to sign.

“I’m still very much at the basic stage but it has been mind opening,” she said. “I recently managed to have my first basic conversation with someone who uses BSL. It felt like a real achievement and it was wonderful to make the connection. That apart, I also managed to sign ‘I toilet in Manchester’ rather than ‘I live in Manchester’! I still have so much to learn.”