Chizuk Amuno Congregation
celebrated a magnificent simcha titled, "Inscribing Our Future: The Mitzvah of Torah," with the completion of a year-long journey of Chizuk Amuno congregants with scribe Rabbi Moshe Druin and his quill, writing the complete sacred text into the congregation's very new precious Sefer Torah, celebrating the 140th anniversary of Chizuk Amuno Congregation!
WOW! Exciting! This memorable year-long journey with talented scribe Rabbi Druin, began Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, and concluded at a closing ceremony Sunday, Feb 12, 2012!
There are 304,805 letters in a Sefer Torah and a Torah is only complete "if" all the letters are complete!
At the opening ceremony a year prior, approximately 1,000 letters in this Torah were written. During this year long journey, statistically more than 700 families came to write a letter in this precious Sefer Torah.
More interesting stats:
2,500 individuals participated by writing a letter in this Torah
Chizuk Amuno traveled with this Torah to three assisted living facilities in Florida
Worked with 3,000 volunteers
Wrote letters in this Torah for 150 hours
Approximately 5,000 photographs were taken, many were people inscribing a letter, with scribe Rabbi Druin.
Rabbi Ron Shulman, spiritual leader of Chizuk Amuno Congregation, at this year-long culminating closing ceremony said, "When the Torah was first given to Moses, Mount Sinai was like all in smoke, like smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently!"
Rabbi Shulman added, "Torah is an actual reflection of God. Aware of God's presence in our lives, the letters and words of Torah inspire us, revealing to us insight and wisdom! Through Torah, we are taught how to live and we are given a purpose for which to live!"
Beautiful and meaningful. This columnist thought this was worth repeating!
The Torah dedication program continued with an impressive Torah processional. Richard Manekin, congregation president, had the honor of carrying this completed new precious Sefer Torah, down the center aisle of the congregation's beautiful sanctuary.
Having the honor of being the significant "Huppah" holders were Gil Abramson, Allison Baumwald, Payton Goldman and Matt Klatsky.
Continuing with the program, Janice Brodsky and Dan Goldfarb reflected on the writing of this very special Torah.
Scribe Rabbi Moshe Druin, with his deep passion for Torah, at this time explained to all the attendees that each of the seven final letters was to be inscribed that a.m., thus completing this year-long exciting journey!
The final seven letters included:
1. Khaf: written by Abby Suldan, an active student GECEC, Krieger Schecter Day School.
2. Lamed: written by Joshua Rosen, a regular Shabbat and minyan attendee.
3. Yud: written by Andrew Miller, leader and participant Gamilut Hassadim initiative.
4. Sin: written by the lucky Alice and Maury Garten family. Their name was randomly selected from a lottery of people attending this Torah completion ceremony.
Letters 5, 6 and 7 were inscribed by chair-people of the "Inscribing Our Future" Torah project: 5, Resh: Neil Katz; 6, Aleph: Sandi Moffet; 7, Shelly and Ira Malis.
Above listed all had the honor of completing Chizuk Amuno Congregation's 140th Anniversary Torah. A distinct honor. Mazel Tov all!
Bob Hallock, choir leader, did a great job with several hundred harmonizing men, women, teens and children, participating in the Chizuk Amuno Community Choir, singing in unison on the bema.
Concluding the lovely program , Fran Glushakow Gould reflected on her Torah-writing experience as "a transcendent awesome experience being so close to the Torah!"
Alan Kanter and Ilene Salditch with jubilance dressed the precious Sefer Torah to place with the congregation's existing sacred Torahs, all dressed in attractive purple, in the congregations Sacred Ark, located on the bema.
Completing this full morning's program were Neil Katz and Sandi Moffet.
Additional chair-people and committee working with "Inscribing Our Future" included Gil Abramson, Payton Goldman, Allan Greenberg, Allison Baumwald, Michelle Ostroff, AJ Piltch, Ilene Salditch, Rosellen Bloomberg, Stephani Braverman, Norris Brodsky, Amy Chapper, Sheri Gelvar, Miriam Golob, Toba Grant, Jessica Grosman.
And, Fritzi and Bob Hallock, Amy Helsel, Shelly Hettleman, Matthew Klatsky, Lauren Klein, Jonny Lewis, Brian Litofsky, Ilene Mackler, Rebecca Raich, Howard Sandbank, Sheila Sandbank, Andrew Sandler, Dara Schnee, Leslie Seidman, Jeff Snyder, Lynn Tucker, Frada Wall and Wes Wilson. A commitment well done by everyone! Mega thanks!
In addition to the above listed, there were many, many attendees. Listing only a few due to space limitations, Marilyn and Dr. Paul Schneider, Adele and Howard Kass, Marilyn and Sonny Spector, Carol and Gil Davis, Barb Lewbart plus, as mentioned above, many, many more congregants, guests and community people.
Special thanks, Laurel Freedman, director of Congregational Advancement for keeping this columnist updated. Cheryl Snyderman is communications and membership coordinator, Rachel Levitan, graphic designer.
Mark Summerfield was photog for this exciting "Inscribing Our Future" Torah simcha journey.
Caterer Annie Hood catered the lavish tasty lunch enjoyed by everyone. The Tummlers provided the delightful music during lunch.
Chizuk Amuno congregational leadership includes Richard Manekin, president; Rabbi Ronald Shulman, Rabbi Deborah Wechsler, spiritual leaders; Joel Zaiman, Rabbi Emeritus; Emanuel Perlman, Hazzan; Dr. Moshe Shualy, ritual director; Ronald Millen, executive director.
Mazel Tov Chizuk Amuno Congregation, on the addition of this magnificent new Sefer Torah to your Sacred Ark!
Lifecycle simcha celebrations
A very happy and a few belated birthday greetings to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and community celebrating 30-something, more or less. Also a sprinkling of kids, tween/teens, young adults and seniors (recycled teenagers):
Dr. Howard Hoffberg, Dr. Scott Fine, Dr. Andy Cardin, Dr. Gary Pushkin, Haron Dahan, Alan Weiss, Lou Bluefeld, Ronnie Footlick, Phyllis Brotman, Marla Scheman, Ruth Bakal, Barbara Mandel, Linda Speert, Shari Gaister, Danny Stern, Bob Hillman, Fred Tepper, Carole Luterman, Marcie Elkin, Sue Shapiro, Norm Jacobson, Neil Levy, Nechama Berger, Gail Horowitz, Mira Fader, Tracey Grela.
And Danny Stern, Ed Fishman, Sherry Sacks, Joan Kahn, Bobbie Levin, Al Himmelrich, Zack Chattler, Barry Stelzer, Phyllis Hotchkiss, Karen Ginsberg, Robin Towsend, Lila Gold, Don Friedman, Howard Weinstein, Leon Sigel, Ken Solomon, Deb Shapiro, Carol Madow, Mel Heller, Wayne Silverman and Larry Bazensky.
Happy, happy birthday to each and every-one and those celebrating birthdays not listed!
Hope you all enjoyed oodles of ice cream, cake and goodies! Especially the goodies!
Engagement congrats
Jennifer Perrick to Jordan Rothberg.
Marriage
Best wishes for wedded bliss: Dori (Donner) and Shay Molcho
Anniversary congrats
A gorgeous (diamond plus, plus, plus) 66th anniversary to Sylvia and Sam Stone.
WOW! 66 years! Fantabulous! We all wish Sylvia and Sam many, many more wonderful anniversaries with good health and happiness!
A fab 51st anniversary to Marlyn and Dr. Boris Omansky.
A wonderful 49th anniversary to Linda and John Haas.
A pretty (coral) 35th anniversary to Linda and Jeffrey Riach. An attractive (pearl) 30th anniversary to Martha and Jerry Benesch.
A very happy 23rd anniversary to Sherri and Jim Brogan, Chaya and Ira Wexler.
A fab 19th anniversary to Dr. Diana and Marc Terrell, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Boltansky A beautiful (crystal) 15th anniversary to Hope and Ron Miles. An enjoyable 12th anniversary to Helaine and Marty Radinsky.
Happy anniversary to all of the above and those celebrating anniversaries not listed! May you all enjoy many, many more wonderful anniversary simchas! L'Chaim!
Shannon and Taylor Stern, tween/teen, young adult and under 30 social columnists
Bat Mitzvah
Mazel Tov to Amelia Land.
Bar Mitzvah
Mazel Tov to Gabriel Perman and Ethan Greenberg.
Happy young adult birthdays to Keturah Roberts, Joey Danick, Brandon Hoffman and Ryan Jaworski.
Happy 20-something and under-30 birthdays to Lauren Pellerito, Kira Sherman, Aviva Paley, Alex Lerner, Brett Lipman and Jacob Singer.
Happy birthday to all the double-digit, Bat and Bar Mitzvah celebrants, young adult and 20-something and under-30 birthday celebrants not listed! Happy milestone birthdays all!
Memo
Shabbat candle-lighting time, Friday evening, March 23, is 7:04 p.m.
Have and enjoy a terrific week!
