Temple member Janice Schacter has a special understanding of the frustration faced by thousands of New Yorkers suffering from deafness and hearing loss. When Mrs. Schacter’s 10-year-old daughter, Arielle, was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe hearing loss as a young child, rights of the hard of hearing became an issue of prime concern for the former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom. Armed with a wealth of knowledge, persistence and the support of various organizations—including the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing— Mrs. Schacter is a formidable force when it comes to ensuring adequate support for the hard of hearing. Through her non-profit Hearing Access Program, Mrs. Schacter has worked diligently to bring listening devices to many of the city’s cultural institutions, including the Jewish Museum, the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the City of New York. Mrs. Schacter also has conducted training sessions for Temple Emanu-El staff and volunteer ushers on the use of head sets and neck loops in the Temple sanctuaries.

TE-Profile-4:05