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Where Do Our Torahs Come From?
Congregation Beth Emeth is privileged to have
5 very special Torahs. Click for brief information about each -- where it
comes from, what we use it for and why.
Photo by Susan Berger |
Weisser Torah
The Weisser Torah, which
we read on most Shabbatot, is on loan from the Weisser family via Shelley
Langer.
Shelley's maternal grandfather purchased
the Torah in memory of her grandmother after she died. Shelley's
grandfather, who was very orthodox, kept it at the synagogue in New York
where he worshipped until he
died. Shelly's aunt then took it to her synagogue where it stayed for many
years.
Unfortunately that area of New York was
changing and it was feared that synagogue would close and our family
would lose the Torah. Since Shelley and her husband Mike Rifkin were one of
the few offspring active in a synagogue it was decided to bring the Torah to
be used at Beth Emeth. Shelley's parents, sisters and several cousins all
came to Beth Emeth the weekend they presented
the Torah to our shul, and all participated in the service.
The
Weisser Torah was originally going to be used only for special events,
but everyone (especially the students) found the Weisser Torah easier to
read from than the Torah which had been commissioned for CBE at about the
same time, and started requesting it for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
Eventually it was decided the this Torah would be
used regularly.
Pinchas Torah
We use this Torah only for the special Pinchas portion which is
read as the maftir on many holidays and on Rosh Chodesh (more info being
prepared)
Holocaust Torah
This Torah was rescued from the Holocaust and was brought to our shul by
the Marks family. This Torah is no longer strictly Kosher, so in the
synagogue we only read the Zachor portion from it once a year. It is also
used during the year for the 7th grade class services and our minyanaire's
program.
Or Torah
Named for the word Or
(light) embroidered on the Torah mantle, we read from the Or Torah on
various holidays (more info being prepared)
Shema Torah
Named for the words Shema Yisrael embroidered on the Torah mantle. We use
this Torah for many holiday readings (more info being prepared)
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