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M'Kom Torah - A Place of Torah
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Siyyum of the Makom Torah Campaign - a wonderful celebration!.........posted May 15, 2007
 Photography by Larry M Levine
The sanctuary was standing room only!
The newly dedicated Torah Scroll was dressed in a new mantle, entitled "Therefore Choose Life", crafted by our own Shirley Waxman.
The Torah cover is an expression of the Ark doors which represent the Garden of Eden.
The hand embroidered wording is taken from Deuteronomy 30:19, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that you and your children may live." This quote is a joyful expression of our new Torah and of our Congregation.
If you look at the Ark doors, going from left to right, there is a glorious sunrise; and, if you look at the Torah mantle, the left side, toward the sunrise, is an explosion of sunrise colors.
Moving to the right, are the greens of the trees and the blues of the water and the sky.
The fabrics are Thai and Indian silks, and striped fabrics from Israel, which are believed to be what the ancient Hebrews wore.
Several years ago, a woman from Lebanon gave me a piece of fabric that was important to her. I was instructed to use it for something special. It is an ancient brocade design depicting the cedars of Lebanon. I felt this was an appropriate time to use it.
 Photography by Larry M Levine
"Therefore Choose Life" - artwork by Shirley Waxman
I have made many tallitot for members of our Congregation. As you look closely at the fabrics and you suspect that they might be the same as what is on your tallit, you are probably correct. They may, indeed, be a piece used in the construction of your tallit, which gives all of us a sense of ownership.
Please accept the work of my hands --- Shirley Waxman
 Photography by Larry M Levine
President Ron Rabin holds our new scroll as
Rabbi Menachem Youlis dances with the kids in celebration
The following congregants were honored:
- Gabbaim: Danny Bachman, Sam Freedenberg
- Ark Openers for taking out current Sifrei Torah: Elyse Bernstein, Laurie Wecker
- Carriers for current Sifrei Torah: Marc Pressman, Leonard Lipton, Penina Freedenberg
- Shofar Blower: Len Marco
- Carry new Torah into sanctuary: Ron Rabin
- Chuppah Holders: Jeff Bernstein, Jeff Smith, Fred Wagner, Neil Newman
- Holding Third Torah on the Bimah: Avi Ashery
- Hagbah: Mary Wagner
- G'lila: Gail Pressman
- Ark Openers for putting Sifrei Torah away: Susan Newman, Helen Frank
- Torah carriers to put away Sifrei Torah: Ellen Smith, Barry Lipsy, Elliot Cowan, Shirley Waxman
We read, for the first time, from this new Torah, the first 18 verses of chapter 19 of Leviticus, which says:
- Leviticus 19:1…Rhoda Sakolsky…And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
- Leviticus 19:2…Mike Berman…Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy.
- Leviticus 19:3…Susan Plafker…Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and ye shall keep My sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
- Leviticus 19:4…Rich Nisenson…Turn ye not unto the idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
- Leviticus 19:5…Debby Berlyne…And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted.
- Leviticus 19:6…Fred Wagner…It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow; and if aught remain until the third day, it shall be burnt with fire.
- Leviticus 19:7…Louise Chatlynne…And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is a vile thing; it shall not be accepted.
- Leviticus 19:8…Jim Hendler…But every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the holy thing of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from his people.
- Leviticus 19:9…Janaki Kuruppu…And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corner of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest.
- Leviticus 19:10…Mary Wagner…And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
- Leviticus 19:11…Julia Bernstein…Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another.
- Leviticus 19:12…Sharon Beth Kristal…And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, so that thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 19:13…Wendy Morrison…Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbour, nor rob him; the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
- Leviticus 19:14…Mark Schaffman…Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but thou shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 19:15…Susan Apter…Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor favour the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
- Leviticus 19:16…Shayna Solomon…Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 19:17…Terry Horowit…Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbour, and not bear sin because of him.
- Leviticus 19:18…Elissa Schwartz…Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
 Photography by Larry M Levine
Carl Yaffe leads our choir in singing Terry Horowit's newest composition
And our choir, directed by Carl Yaffe, premiered a new composition by our own Terry Horowit, Tov L'Hodot.
 Photography by Larry M Levine
Rabbi Howard Gorin thanks Rabbi Menachem Youlis for his generosity
in teaching and guiding us through this process
Special recognition, and standing ovations, honored the chairman of the Makom Torah committee, Danny Bachman, and Rabbi Menachem Youlis, the dedicated scribe who has led us through this entire process.
We danced with joy around our new Torah scroll. And we raised our voices in song to the melodic guitar accompaniment of our beloved Cantor Helzner. It was an unbelievable day! And it's not too late to donate to the campaign! Follow this link for more information, and to download a donor form.
With generous thanks to all our donors (as of May 9, 2007):
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