Torah Restoration
Holocaust Memorial Torah Scroll Restoration
Temple Israel has completed an extraordinary physical and spiritual journey to restore the 200 year-old Czechoslovakian Torah scroll saved from the Nazis and entrusted to our congregation in 1980. While our memorial scroll was saved in the Shoah, it is no longer kosher for ritual use. It is damaged with holes in the parchment, seams that need resewing and letters which require repair.
Gift opportunities are still available: please contact Neil Aronson
Read the article in USCJ’s Journeys e-magazine
Many Temple Israel members have video-recorded their Family Shoah Stories. Please visit the bottom of this page to watch these incredible stories of survival that have brought these members to our community.
After almost 75 years since the end of World War II and almost 30 years in our tender care, it is time to bring this Torah back to life and an active part of our synagogue. It is our duty to do more than simply memorialize and remember through a glass window.
“A Torah scroll is more than a document and a book. It embodies the idea that we simple human beings have access to God’s will in this world. The scroll is a kind of bridge between the world of God’s perfect mind - having no physical form - and the very material world in which we live. Torah becomes embodied as the scribe crushes galls to make ink, takes up a feather quill pen and animal skin parchment. This very earthy beginning is the starting point for every Torah scroll,” commented Rabbi Fish.
The scroll will be used in our services and for educational purposes, serving as both a poignant remembrance of the Holocaust and as an inspiration for our children and future generations. We invite you to be a part of this amazing endeavour.
Our Religious school children have already met with Rabbi Hale, the sofer (scribe) repairing the Torah scroll, learning the art of writing a Torah scroll. Volunteer professional journalists have also begun to interview Temple Israel members who wish to share their families’ Holocaust experiences. Rabbi Sofer Kevin Hale visited with Brotherhood’s Routes program as well.
“We must continue to see the Torah as a bridge that connects our living community, and those which came before. And now all of us are invited to partner in building that bridge, and in making this Torah scroll ‘fit’, kosher once more. It will stand at the center of our Jewish lives, and the words of Torah will be read from this scroll again,” said Rabbi Fish.
We need your help to make this Torah whole again and an active part of Temple Israel!
Please consider joining us in this journey in one way or another. There are many opportunities to get involved!
Please click here to
download our brochure,
and click here to learn more about
TI’s Holocaust Remembrance programs
To find out how you can support this project financially or as a volunteer, please contact Art Newman or Carol Wolk Rose. If you are child (2G) or grandchild (3G) of a survivor and interested in sharing your story, please contact Leah Bieler.
To allow us to continue to run meaningful Holocaust remembrance programming, we would appreciate your considering a major gift (above the cost of a scrolling session). For further information, please contact Neil Aronson.
Further Reading: To learn more about Temple Israel's many Holocaust Remembrance Programs, the remarkable story of how our scroll was obtained, and the Shoah-era communities from which our members came,click here.
Click on either image to download the full page brochure.
Additional Programs
Movie- Etched in Glass: The Legacy of Steve Ross.
Sunday, March 10th
Click the poster for info
TI Reads Book Club:
The Palace
Thursday< March 14th
Click the poster for info
Tue, March 21 2023
28 Adar 5783
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Tuesday ,
MarMarch 21 , 2023Leaders of Passover Seders Program
Tuesday, Mar 21st 7:45p to 9:30p
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2023Gateways Access to Jewish Education Program
Thursday, Mar 23rd 7:00p to 9:00p
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2023Hearing Men's Voices
Thursday, Mar 23rd 7:45p to 9:00p
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Friday ,
MarMarch 24 , 2023Cantor Candidate Weekend with Cantor Ehrlich
Friday, Mar 24th 6:15p to 9:00p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2023Cantor Candidate Weekend with Cantor Ehrlich
Shabbat, Mar 25th 9:00a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2023Sing-a-long with Cantor Ehrlich
Motzei Shabbat, Mar 25th 8:00p to 9:00p
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Sunday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2023Jewish Routes with Rabbi Fineberg
Sunday, Mar 26th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Monday ,
MarMarch 27 , 2023Crucial Moments in Israeli History Through the Lens of Short Stories - Part One
Monday, Mar 27th 8:00p to 9:30p
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Wednesday ,
MarMarch 29 , 2023Brotherhood Yellow Candle Mailing
Wednesday, Mar 29th 5:30p to 8:00p
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Sunday ,
AprApril 2 , 2023Family Passover Program
Sunday, Apr 2nd 10:00a to 11:00a
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Thursday ,
AprApril 20 , 2023Hazak Event
Thursday, Apr 20th 7:30p to 9:30p
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Tuesday ,
AprApril 25 , 2023Hearing Men's Voices
Tuesday, Apr 25th 7:45p to 9:00p
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Sunday ,
AprApril 30 , 2023Yom Ha’Atzmaout Celebration - Zimryia
Sunday, Apr 30th 9:00a to 11:00a
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Saturday ,
MayMay 6 , 2023Family Havdalah & Lag Ba'Omer Celebration
Shabbat, May 6th 8:30p to 9:30p
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Thursday ,
MayMay 11 , 2023Hazak Event
Thursday, May 11th 7:30p to 9:30p