of the Minyan's need for a Torah, Mr. Leon Goldenberg of New York made the "shidduch" between the
donor and the shul. It is a magnificent honor for the Eugene Jewish community to be able to serve as the new home for this historic Torah.
President's Corner
I'm sure each of us will remember a particular aspect of the Hachnassas Sefer Torah as being especially meaningful. For me there were actually three: the story of our Torah and the role it and we play in the intergenerational transmission of the Word; the personal connections made with Orthodox Jews from New York and their support of our unusual traditional shul; and the loving support and participation of so many members of Eugene's larger Jewish community. I want to especially thank Rabbi Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin for encouraging the members of Temple Beth Israel to help in welcoming the Torah, and for himself participating in our celebration. We have come together before in sorrow. To come together again for a simcha not only strengthened the Jewish community and the future of Judaism, but advanced the work of tikkun olam immeasurably. Yasher Koach! Be well.
Nechama
Minyanairres Break New GroundMinyanairres Break New Ground
Minyanairres have kept the excitement of our Hachnasat Sefer Torah alive by coming together for minyanim on Monday and Thursday mornings. As of this writing we have had a full minyan-plus for these weekday services.
The formation was in response to Leon Goldenberg's inspiring challenge at the Torah installation Sunday morning. At one point he said very animatedly, "This Torah must be read not just on Shabbos, but also on Monday and Thursday mornings as well! This is a Torah to be used, not to sit in the Ark!" Moved to action by those words, Alan Scott-Thoennes of Corvallis called Rabbi Davidson Sunday evening and said, "So, Nu, what time is Shachris tomorrow?" Minyan-formers, including Adina, went to the phones and in a short time had commitments. The group met Monday morning and after davening called Leon at his office to share with him the impact of his charge.
We met again on Thursday morning where the participants agreed to commit to coming regularly, and to setting up a schedule to insure that the minyan is maintained. If you would like to be a regular Minyanairre please call Rabbi Davidson at the office to sign up. It can be for every Monday and Thursday or even once or twice a month. May we continue to go from strength to strength.
The importance of the Monday and Thursday services should not
be understated. The Torah tells us that the Jews wandered for
three days without water, an unfortunate occurrence. From this,
Chazal, our Sages taught that since Torah is compared to water,
we mustn't go three
days without reading Torah publicly. Thus, we read the Torah
publicly on Monday and Thursday mornings as well as on Shabbat
during both Shachris and Mincha.
In mid-February, over President's Day weekend, the Halachic Minyan will be having a Hachnasas Sefer Torah, installing a Scroll that has been donated to the shul by a very special individual from New York. This particular Sefer Torah had been hidden away during the Holocaust and was brought out of Poland only recently by the donor himself. He discovered the existence of a number of such Sifrei Torah and has gone to great lengths to rescue and repair them, and place them with shuls that are in need. Upon hearing of the Minyan's need for a Torah, Mr. Leon Goldenberg of New York made the "shidduch" between the
donor and the shul. It is a magnificent honor for the Eugene Jewish community to be able to serve as the new home for this historic Torah.
This will be an awe-inspiring event for Eugene Jewry. Since the birth of the Halachic Minyan a few short years ago, traditional Judaism has taken root and blossomed. The installation of this historic Sefer Torah will be a landmark event in the life of our community. As the Sefer Torah comes from Poland and takes its place in Eugene, we celebrate the cultivation of Torah in far flung corners of America.
Workshops for kids and classes for adults on the topic of The Sefer Torah are being planned for the weeks ahead. For more information about the classes and the celebration, call the Minyan office at 334-6772.
The above illustrations are from The Tattooed Torah (UAHC Press New York, NY), Martin Lemelman