The Yom Kippur War was etched in Rabbi David Roimi's heart. He was only three years old at the time. Suddenly, loud explosions were heard, and he was frightened. His deaf parents did not understand what was happening, and he signaled to them with his hands that there were "booms" and ran with them to the shelter. Since then, he has done countless chores for his parents, and for the past ten years he has been helping thousands of deaf people across the country.
Here's a glimpse of his diary for next week: On Sunday he will give a shiur in Jerusalem, on Monday in Bnei Brak, on Tuesday in Haifa, on Wednesday in Kiryat Malachi, and on Thursday in Beersheba and Rishon LeZion. What is common to all the participants of the classes who are deaf. He also conducts chuppot for them, accompanies their children to the Bar Mitzvah, and is with them in many personal moments, and the shiur serves as a weekly Torah portion for them. Most of the participants are traditional, and there are also those who are not observant.
Sign Language Hospitality
Rabbi Roimi (48), a father of six and grandfather of four, was born to traditional parents. At the age of twenty-five, he began to keep the commandments. His childhood was different from that of his peers: "When my friends played, I had to accompany my parents to the bank, to the health fund, or to other errands. When I was six years old, I already knew what 'passing' was. I would also accompany my parents to parents' meetings at school. You understand on your own that I was the best kid, right?" he says, laughing.
This background allows him to come to the aid of the deaf. "I hear as a person, but I understand their difficulties and challenges very well," he says. "That's my destiny in life." His wife, sons, and grandchildren are also involved in his activities. "Everyone, without exception, knows sign language. Every Shabbat we host deaf people around the table, and we 'speak' in a language that everyone understands. The fact that my children and grandchildren 'speak' this language also allows them to maintain a natural connection with my parents."
Thanks to technology
When conducting chuppahs, he wears a special microphone and 'talks' to the audience with his hands as well. He receives many requests for answers to questions and assistance with the difficulties encountered by the deaf community. And how are the conversations made? "Usually in video calls or correspondence. I always say that smart technology was created for the deaf community, so that they can communicate with the world like everyone else."
Rabbi Roimi's activities are carried out within the framework of the Shmaya Association, which provides needs for deaf communities, and is headed by Rabbi Shimon Levy, a Gur Hasid. "I'm like a human ambulance, constantly attentive to calls," he sums up his work. "During the day I will recite a kollel blessing, but I am always alert to questions, and these are especially pronounced on the eve of holidays."
Explain to the children
Rabbi Roimi wants to draw the attention of parents and teachers to the problem he encounters: "Sometimes when I talk to a deaf person in sign language, children gather around us and look at us. It's not pleasant. Parents can explain to their children that sign language is like Hebrew, English, or French. The deaf are ordinary human beings. Look at them at eye level."
