Makaton Shema

M. aged 2 and a half, and has Downs Syndrome. This is a video of his first attempt at signing "the Shema" with Daddy. The Shema is a Jewish daily prayer-reading in Hebrew. Makaton is a sign support system for communication, intended for people with learning difficulties. It is based on the signs from British Sign Language (BSL). BSL is the language of Deaf people in the UK.
The text of the Shema can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 or at http://judaism.about.com/od/blessingsprayers/a/shema_bed.htm
I am attempting to chant it here in Hebrew (with authentic English accent) and to the chanting melody widely used in England for Torah readings.

The Makaton Shema project is a work in progress.

M. is a genius and so cute, but then I am his dad so am biased...

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Shema
• Yisrael
• BSL
• British
• Sign
• Language
• Makaton
• Hebrew
• Downs
• Syndrome
• Judaism
• Jewish
• Religion

[mohsweetu]

ohhh may G-d bless him .... sweet baby boy

[ASignUponYourHand]

@mohsweetu dziękuję Thank you

[bekkibiller]

this was so nice can you please tell me what you was saying :)

[ASignUponYourHand]

Hi Jeremy,

Great to have your feedback that you've used my Makaton Shema in helping Jewish children you work with who have mental handicap.

So glad to hear that you've been able to use it to sign with the Shema with some of your kids.

That is my hope that it will be used.

Best wishes

Jonathan

[KyleUmby]

down syndrome

[ASignUponYourHand]

Wikipedia:

"Down syndrome or trisomy 21 (usually Down's Syndrome in British English) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome."

The main UK organisation for those with the condition and their families is the

Down's Syndrome Association

The UK naming convention may be changing though.

[cloudberry121]

What is it about the cooing of a small child that makes it so beautiful and sweet.

[foxintransit]

Thanks - we are a special needs school in London and we loved watching this in our RE lessons. Thank you for a wonderful resource which shows the spirituality of young people with special needs.

[abpearce100]

I need to know if the Makaton is used in Israel as well please. My hubby and I want to go to Israel and we have a 5 year old autistic daughter. Any help you can give me on the subject would be appreciated. Thanks, Antoinette (abpearce100 (@) gmail . com)

[dbaderan]

So sweet! Thank you for sharing...

[glsvensson]

Beautiful! You obviously are not biased--he is a genius and cute, and beautiful and gorgeous and clever and more! Plus he loves you.

[tobiosnmakky]

@ASignUponYourHand your replies are so thoughtful :)

[lozenger69]

so cute loved it x

[Jay3fer]

Lovely!