TBS recently participated in a rare opportunity, hosted by Temple Ahavat Shalom, in the restoration of their aged and worn 350 year-old Holocaust Torah, written in approximately 1650. The Torah was rescued from Kolin, Czechoslovakia.
Adele Podolsky heard about the restoration project and recruited seventeen members of the Jewish Deaf community to be involved in this unique ritual. With a small donation each, to help pay for the cost of the restoration, Rabbi Moshe Druin who is a certified scribe, called a sofer, who letters Torah scrolls and other religious writings, instructed the group during the entire process.
From L to R: Judi Fromberg, Rita Winzelberg, Maurice Richter, Marilyn Castaline, Bernard Castaline, Ruth Richter, Adele Davidson, Adele Podolsky, Rabbi Druin.
Thanks to Temple Ahavat Shalom, who arranged for interpreter, Karen Reff, the group was able to completely enjoy the experience. Their portion of the Torah restoration was from Exodus, a very timely Torah portion, just before Passover, describing the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.
With the participants separated into groups, the ceremony began with a prayer and washing of hands three times. Then each group, in turn, joined Rabbi Druin who held a quill pen while each individual put their hands on his as he traced over the Hebrew letter. Extreme care must be taken because for the Torah scroll to be complete and acceptable, there must be NO errors on the goatskin parchment. Once everyone had a turn, the scribe explained each Hebrew portion.
From L to R: Joe Slotnick, Cholly Kadin, Sam Kadin, Brad Kanwyer Hazel Davinger, Dianna Kanwyer, Rabbi Druin.
The participants from our TBS group were: Maurice & Ruth Richter, Judi Fromberg, Bernie & Marilyn Castaline, Adele Davidson, Elaine Aikins, Joe Slotnick, Rita Winzelberg, Dianna & Brad Kanawyer, Cholly & Sam Kadin, Hazel Davinger, Joyce Linden and Adele Podolsky.
TAS extended their event to the Jewish Home for the Aged in Reseda to be able to include Holocaust survivors in this tradition. What a beautiful and fitting overture to this community. Because of this thoughtfulness, TBS member, Lotte Friedman, was also able to participate from her home at their ceremony.
Lotte Friedman with sofer, Rabbi Druin
Interpreter, Karen Reff with group
Source: Congregation News, Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf
