Deaf

Israeli Grandmaster takes gold at World Deaf Chess Championship, secures spot at Deaflympics

During the tournament, Greenfeld competed alongside hundreds of chess players from 43 countries, though several countries withdrew from the event due to Israel’s participation.

|BySHIR PERETS
Yehuda Greenfeld.
ISRAELI SECURITY forces operate during a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, May 3, 2026.

Group of deaf Israeli civilians rescued from heart of Nablus in unusual West Bank incident

The group entered the Palestinian city after reportedly being invited to a meal by a local Palestinian resident.

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
Deaf actors using sign language communicate backstage prior to their performance "Luna Park" at the "Nalaga’at Theater" in the Tel Aviv-Jaffo port, March 18, 2012.

Knesset advances bill to recognize Israeli Sign Language as first language of deaf people

The bill would formally recognize Israeli Sign Language while maintaining the status of other sign languages used in Israel. It would also require the state to preserve, develop, and promote ISL.

|ByAVIHAI CHIIM
A DEAF PARTICIPANT in Kivunim's program serving in the IDF's Engineering and Construction Directorate.

'I wanted to serve fully': NGO support program enables young deaf adults to serve in the IDF

Kivunim's program is designed for young adults ages 16-26, and provides ongoing support from high school through enlistment, screening, and placement.

|ByTZVI JASPER

Deaf Argentine victims of clergy sexual abuse protest at Vatican

The case in Argentina and a similar one at a school for the deaf in Italy have prompted outrage because of the vulnerability of the children and their difficulty in communicating about the crimes.

FEBRUARY 21, 2020ByREUTERS
Victims of abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Argentina stage a protest at the Vatican

Israeli entertainer uses Helen Keller as inspiration for composition

At the time Teperberg discovered Keller’s letter, he was finishing an ensemble work entitled I Want to Dance, Kate!

JANUARY 1, 2020ByORI J. LENKINSKI
Listening without hearing

‘Signing is cool’

Douglas Ridloff struggled through his bar mitzvah. Now the deaf performer is giving back to the community and helping kids like himself.

JUNE 13, 2019ByBEN BRESKY
HEADLINER DOUGLAS Ridloff of New York performs at the SignTalkers kickoff event.