Who is it for?
Deaf communities across the country
The project is aimed at Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Israel, for whom Hebrew is a written foreign language, while Israeli Sign Language is the only truly native one.
The Light of Scripture in Sign Language
A project to translate the New Testament
into Israeli Sign Language
About the Project
Translating the New Testament into Israeli Sign Language
Thousands of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people live in Israel, and for many of them Israeli Sign Language (ISL) is their native language. Among them are those who have come to faith in Yeshua as the Messiah, yet they have no access to Scripture in their native language.
The nonprofit organization “Light Tower for the People” (Migdal Or le-’Am) has launched a unique project — a translation of the New Testament into Israeli Sign Language. This is a full translation that takes into account the grammar, culture, and ways of understanding within Israel’s Deaf community.
Everyone deserves to hear the Good News in the language their heart speaks. For Deaf people, that language is the visual language of signs. Our translation is a long-awaited answer to many years of prayer from Deaf believers in Israel.
What do we do?
Video translation of Scripture
Each chapter is recorded in a studio with the participation of Deaf translators and biblical text consultants, so that the translation is both accurate and accessible for Deaf viewers.
Why?
The Bible without intermediaries
We seek to ensure that Deaf people can encounter the biblical text directly, without the interpretive filter of hearing intermediaries, and see the Gospel in their native language.
Numbers & Facts
15 000+
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Israel
0
books of the New Testament available in ISL at the start of the project
27
books to be translated
Already
several Gospel stories have been translated and are available in video format
Why This Matters
Sign language is the native language of the Deaf
For most Deaf people, sign language is their first and native language. A written language always remains foreign to them and is often poorly mastered. A standard written translation of the Bible cannot speak to a Deaf person in the same way that a living signed message does. When people encounter the Word of God in their native language, it changes their lives.
To “hear” means to “see”
When Scripture says, “Faith comes from hearing” (Rom. 10:17), for Deaf people this means “from seeing.” Deaf people “hear” the Word with their eyes, through signed language. A video translation into sign language allows them to encounter the living Word directly, without intermediaries. Our project removes inequality and brings hope.
Cultural and linguistic accuracy
Israeli Sign Language is unique — it differs from American, Russian, or any other sign language. It has its own grammar, idioms, and cultural context. The translation takes all of these features into account so that the text is clear, natural, and truly “one’s own” for Israel’s Deaf community.
Building community
Translating Scripture brings the Deaf community together, creating opportunities for shared study, prayer, and spiritual fellowship in a language everyone understands. Where access to the Word of God in one’s native language appears, a space of trust emerges and a true spiritual home is formed.
Israel is a unique place on earth. Jesus and the apostles proclaimed the Good News here, where we live and work today, where we pray and hope. Two thousand years later, the Savior’s Word returns to the Deaf children of the people of Israel in their native language. Our project is part of the fulfillment of the promise: that all Israel may hear and see the truth about its Messiah.
Rom. 11:26
How We Work
1. Preparation
With the help of academic and translation consultants, the translation team studies the original New Testament text in Ancient Greek, as well as the most authoritative translations into written and sign languages. Special attention is given to the cultural and historical context of the New Testament texts.
2. Initial Translation
A Deaf translator who is a native user of Israeli Sign Language creates the first version of the translation, recorded on video.
3. Review and Editing
A team of exegetes, linguists, and theologians — both Deaf and hearing — reviews the translation for accuracy, faithfulness to the original, and theological soundness.
4. Community Testing
The translation is tested with Deaf believers. The team gathers feedback, questions, and clarifications, revising unclear passages and strengthening the clarity of the text.
5. Final Recording and Publication
Professional video recording, editing, addition of illustrations and maps, and publication of the completed translation.
The Word of God in Sign Language
An excerpt from the video translation of the New Testament into Israeli Sign Language.
The Gospel of Mark, 7:31–37.
Mark 7:31–37 • ISL
About Our Organization
מגדל אור לעם (Migdal Or le-Am)
Migdal Or le-Am (Light Tower for the People) is a nonprofit organization registered in Israel. We serve Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Israel by helping them gain access to spiritual resources, education, and community support.
Our mission is to be a light for those who live in silence, bringing them hope and truth in a form they can fully understand.
The Faces of the Messianic Deaf Community
How to Help
Donate
Support the project financially through donation platforms.
Prayer
Join our prayer team. Subscribe to receive prayer updates.
Share
Tell others about the project in your church, group, and on social media.
Partnership
We welcome partnerships with churches, communities, organizations, and individuals. We also appreciate volunteers — for technical support and sharing our materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Deaf people, sign language is their native language. Reading written text, including subtitles,
is like a hearing person reading the Bible in a foreign language.
Full understanding comes only in one’s native language. In addition,
not all Deaf people have a strong command of the written language.
Sign interpreting is done “on the fly.” We are creating a full video translation
that accurately conveys the theological meaning of the original and at the same time
is natural for Deaf native signers.
Yes. All materials will be available free of charge to the Deaf community
and to everyone who is interested.
After publication, the videos will be available on our website and on YouTube.
Churches and communities will be able to use them in ministry.
Join the Project Today
Help bring the Word of God to the Deaf of Israel
in their native language