Congregation Beth Ora in St. Laurent has begun a fundraising campaign to support the restoration of a 120-year-old Torah scroll in honor of the congregation’s 70th anniversary. The campaign projects the Synagogue’s commitment in preserving Jewish traditions, all the while bridging the past with the future.
“The Torah is at the heart of our services and it is our committee’s intention to ensure that this Torah will remain an integral part of Beth Ora’s traditions for the foreseeable future,” said Committee Chairman Eric Dym. “The restoration of the Torah reflects the strength of our community, and we take pride in leading this most important initiative.”
The restoration project is being carried out by Beth Ora’s own Rabbi Heshy Benshimon. a well-renowned scribe. The Rabbi will painstakingly scrutinize each of the over 300,000 characters in the Torah and, where necessary, repair and/or re-write any letter on the existing parchment using the traditional form of Hebrew calligraphy.
“The Sefer Torah is a scroll of the law which symbolizes some of Judaism’s deepest beliefs,” said Beth Ora’s spiritual leader Rabbi Anthony Knopf. “What better way to celebrate our present and inspire our future than the rededication of our holiest object.”
Beth Ora invites the broader Jewish Community to contribute to this mitzvah fundraiser by sponsoring a parashah, passage, column, verse or word, among other elements, of the Torah scroll. Additional donation categories are also available by visiting www.bethora.org/form/torah.html.
“This is an opportunity to participate and preserve a piece of history and to ensure that the future generations have access to the same traditions and heritage that have been passed down for centuries,” said Dym.
The restoration project is expected to be completed in approximately six to eight months. The Torah will then be used regularly during our services.
