Disabled have Rosh Hashanah Celebration
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer
Jewish celebration strikes chord with residents of school for special needs
RICHMOND, Texas (AP) — Dora Lee Robertson briefly paused when asked if her autistic son, Seth, understood the meaning of the Rosh Hashanah service he had just attended at the Richmond State School for the challenge.
"He remembered what to do with the apples from last year," said a teary-eyed Robertson, recalling how her 35-year-old son got apple slices and dipped them in honey, a symbol to have a sweet new year. "I'm very happy. I'm very proud of him."
Seth Robertson was among eight adult residents of the Richmond and Brenham state schools who celebrated their faith on Wednesday during a Rosh Hashanah service to mark the Jewish New Year.
For about the past three years, Jewish residents of the schools have attended parties and services celebrating the major holidays of their faith.
Ileene Robinson, whose sister Rita Sue, 55, has lived at the Richmond school since 1970, is the catalyst behind the effort.
"I started thinking about what I could do to really help my sister," she said. "It's a blessing I'm able to do this for my sister and the other residents."
Robinson, who had a strong religious upbringing, said although her sister has profound mental retardation and exhibits self abusive behavior, she believes the monthly services Rita Sue attends at Richmond bring calm to her life.
"At night after these services, she sleeps soundly," Robinson said. "It does reach them."
Claire Chipman, spokeswoman for the Richmond School, said many of the residents' families believe meeting the spiritual needs of their loved ones is very important.
The school also offers a Catholic service once a week, as well as a non-denominational service every Sunday.
"We really have an obligation to address the (religious) needs, wants of these folks," said Don Rogers, spokesman for the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. The department runs both Richmond and Brenham, which is located about 90 miles northwest of the city of Richmond.
On Wednesday, residents from both schools listened as Rabbi David Moss from nearby Houston led them through a very abbreviated Rosh Hashanah service. Although the holiday isn't officially celebrated until sundown on Sept. 6, the schools' residents celebrated it early because Moss and Rabbi Dovid Goldstein, who visits the Richmond school monthly, would not be able to come that day.
The service began with a candle lighting ceremony and proceeded with Moss reading prayers in both Hebrew and English and the blowing of a shofar, a ram's horn. The 30-minute service ended with Goldstein striking the familiar chords of the Jewish folk song "Hava Nagila" on a piano and leading the residents in some rousing hand clapping.
"I do feel that I am connecting with them," Goldstein said. "Their souls are healthy and need to be nurtured."
Robertson, 59, said she was very moved by the service, the first such ceremony she had attended with her son.
"It gives me an opportunity to bond with my (son) in a religious setting he didn't have while growing up," she said. "It gives me a sense of peace."
