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Why are we writing a Torah?
The 613th commandment, the final commandment in the Torah, is to write a Sefer Torah (sefer is the Hebrew word for scroll). Specifically, the mitzvah informs us that every Jew should write a Torah for themselves and then teach it to their children of Israel. As part of the RTFH 30th Anniversary celebration, we want our congregation to have the unique opportunity to fulfill this mitzvah. In doing so, we will be Building Community, One Letter at a Time. Every member of our RTFH community will have the chance to take part in the writing of this Torah, the scroll that will be our legacy.
How does writing one letter fulfill this mitzvah?
Every letter is needed for a Torah to be complete. The writing of each letter transforms the scroll from an “almost” scroll into a live and active Sefer Torah. Every person who writes one letter, as Maimonides proclaims, is fulfilling the mitzvah of writing the entire Torah!
Doesn’t RTFH already have Torahs?
RTFH has several Torahs, but they are all from the four synagogues that merged 30 years ago to become RTFH. We deserve one that is created just for our synagogue and by our own community. Additionally, the Torahs we have are either not able to be made Kosher (in good enough condition to be used for the reading each week) or are too large or heavy for the average person to carry easily. Our new Torah will be the perfect size and weight for most everyone.
How will this Torah Writing Project work?
The process has begun in Israel where our Sofer (scribe) is writing most of the Torah text. RTFH will be receiving sections of the parchment with letters in an outlined form. Then, our Scribe will join us at RTFH all day on Sundays and Mondays, February 9-10 and March 23-24 by appointment only. Our Sofer will guide us in filling in the outlined letters in our new Torah. We will literally be writing the letters of our Torah scroll. When the letters have been inscribed, the parchments will be sewn together, and our Torah will be complete.
What is a dedication, and why should I make one?
When writing a new Torah for the whole community, it is customary to financially support its creation by dedicating portions of the text. A dedication is also an opportunity to select a portion of the Torah that is meaningful to you and is your family’s inspiration in your Jewish experience. It turns into a family banner and generational heirloom. Such a dedication can be made to honor or remember a loved one or to commemorate a simcha. In addition, your generous contribution will support all of the outstanding programs and activities that make our synagogue a community.
Our in-person writing days with the Scribe will be more than a time for each family to write their letter individually. They will include activities, projects, learning, food, and a great community celebration.
When are dedication opportunities available, and how do I learn about them?
Dedication opportunities are available here.
The actual inscribing of the Torah will occur on two separate Sundays and Mondays, February 9-10 and March 23-24. You will work with a member of the Torah Committee to schedule an appropriate date and time.
There are a variety of dedication opportunities from which you can choose. These range from a single letter to the dedication of the entire Torah. Rabbi Kaiserman, Cantor Pincus, and our Torah team can help you identify an appropriate and meaningful dedication opportunity for you and your family. The list of dedication opportunities can be found here.
There are many other possible dedications beyond the list. If you have an idea or want help choosing a dedication, please contact Rabbi Kaiserman, Cantor Pincus, or one of the Torah chairs.
Do we fill in/write a letter in the book, verse, word, or letter that we dedicate?
We will fill in the outlined letters in the text sent by the Sofer. While your dedication might be for a specific letter, word, verse, or book, it will likely not correspond to the one letter you are filling in. Better put, it will be G-d’s raffle to choose which letter you get to scribe in our Torah. Each family that makes a dedication of $360 or higher will have the opportunity to complete one letter of the Torah.
Can everyone in my family, including children, write their own letter?
Writing a letter is a family experience. Each group – whether that is one person, a couple, an immediate family, or an extended family – will write ONE letter of the Torah together with the scribe. This will also allow more people to learn about what they are writing and then write it together as a family.
Who can participate?
Building Community, One Letter at a Time is a project for and about our RTFH community and future generations. We encourage all members of our extended Temple community to take part in this mitzvah, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Torah writing is open to anyone, regardless of age or religious background. As a welcoming community, we encourage our membership to invite family and friends outside our membership circle to participate in this mitzvah.
Will there be other 30th Anniversary fundraisers in the coming year?
The 30th Anniversary community-building Torah Project will be RTFH’s only major fundraising opportunity this year. It is tax-deductible. Our Kol Nidre appeal will be rolled into this project. We ask that you make a significant dedication gift that supports RTFH and is meaningful to your family.
The dedications will more than cover the costs of hiring the Scribe to write our Torah in Israel and here with us in Forest Hills. Your participation will help us create our Torah and will support the vitality of RTFH. Some 30th Anniversary celebrations, such as our Party and Concerts, will have entry fees to cover costs, but these charges will not be fundraising in nature.
How will my participation be commemorated?
All dedications and contributions will be acknowledged and celebrated.
Based on your level of participation, there will be diverse acknowledgments from photos, a prominent display at Temple, benefits, and more to enhance your legacy. See our website: www.rtfh.org/Torah
As we use our new Torah, we will make sure each family knows when their dedicated portion of the Torah is being read at services so they can be part of the Torah honors on that Shabbat.
Many other surprises are up our sleeve on how we will thank and recognize donors. Let’s celebrate together in this moment of joy!
