B’nai Tzedek is undertaking one of the most exciting and biggest projects we have taken on since we built our building, and we want you to be a part of it.
In 1992, just four years after a handful of families joined with me to found Congregation B’nai Tzedek, we purchased the beautiful five acre property where our building currently sits. The first 100 families, mostly young people in their 30’s and 40’s, dug deep and contributed the funds that allowed us to buy the land and build our facility. In 1994 we moved in and expanded it two more times since then.
35 years after we first dreamt of creating a new synagogue, and after all these years of b’nai and b’not mitzvah and celebrations and life cycle events in our sanctuary, we are writing our very own Torah scroll!
All of the sifrei Torah donated to us over the years had previously been used elsewhere -- until now. We have commissioned a sofer (scribe) to write a brand new Torah scroll for our congregation.
In the coming months we will have educational programs for kids and adults to explain many fascinating facets about the Torah and why the mitzvah of writing a scroll is so very important and special, including a series of experiential educational booths and workshops on the days when the scribe will be with us. Since writing a Torah is considered the 613th mitzvah, incumbent on all Jews, and can be fulfilled symbolically by writing a single letter, you and your family will be able to perform this commandment and actually write a letter in the Torah scroll.
As is traditional when a congregation takes on a project like this, in addition to the educational and spiritual component, there will also be an opportunity to support the synagogue that is the home of the new scroll. We hope that members will give generously, so we will have the funds necessary to ensure a secure future for our dynamic congregation. You will be able to make a donation that has significance for you – such as donating to dedicate the parasha of your bar or bat mitzvah, or of your child’s parasha, or of a verse, or a word, concept, or even just a letter.
A midrash tells us that all the people of Israel were present when the Torah was given at Mt. Sinai. It goes on to teach that if any one person is missing, the people are not complete, just as when any one letter is missing, the Torah is not complete. We also aspire to be complete, and to have full participation of all our members in this once in a lifetime opportunity.
This is the scroll we will use for years to come. We will read from it on the holidays. Our children will read from it at their b’nai mitzvah. We want you to be able to say to the generations that come after you that you helped to make it happen.
To sign up for one of our Torah-writing days, or to volunteer to help, or to make a donation, please click
here.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
