Finally at home

Part of our duty here in Israel is to volunteer for two hours a week. Slowly but surely, after sitting down and talking to us about what we want to do, Irit has been finding us our volunteer locations. Some people want to work in animal shelters, others with refugees who want to learn English, and still others cleaning up the beaches. But I, unsurprisingly, didn't want any of this (except maybe the animal shelter, but the dogs are uglier here). I told her I wanted to work in a speech and hearing clinic, in any capacity. Our amazing madricha found me something above and beyond what I ever thought was possible here: a Deaf club right here in Ashdod.

I am currently waiting in the main recreation room to talk with the (thankfully English-speaking) coordinator of the club and building. I'm surrounded by Deaf people having conversations, laughing, and catching up. Others are playing cards. But they are all enjoying themselves. I feel rude eavesdropping, but I love just watching. The interactions are so genuine. The Deaf are a special group of people; so kind and accepting, yet so no-nonsense. Two men came over to me and insisted I get a cup of coffee here and I talked to them (in sign language) only to get across that I knew only American Sign Language, not Israeli Sign Language. In just that two minute interaction, we communicated as best we could. The communication barrier doesn't phase me now, whether in spoken or visual language, because that is all I know here.

Dvori, the hearing employee, came out just for a minute to tell me she was finishing up another meeting. She seems absolutely lovely, giving me a hug and telling me how happy she is that I can volunteer. When she's not here, she works as an interpreter around Israel. I'm obsessed with her already. I asked her if this whole building was devoted to the Deaf club and she replied to me, "Yes. This is their home." And I knew instantly the moment I walked in, that this was my home, too.