All Because of One Letter Inspiring personal accounts of Torah scribing.

Bernice Rosenthal - Congregation Brothers of Israel, Newtown, PA A once in a lifetime experience and all too quick. I would love to do it again and really get a good look at the process. Thank you for the opportunity. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jennifer Vistoso - Congregation Brothers of Israel, Newtown, PA It was a wonderfully magical moment to share with my family. To hold the quill was both physically and spiritually connecting. It is awe inspiring to know that our letter will be part of our Torah for many, many years to come, and we thank you for helping us be a part of this moment. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Patricia Benenson - Am Yisrael Congregation, Northfield IL I had an absolutely wonderful experience with the sofer. After the ritual hand washing, we sat down and he thoroughly explained my letter to me. It was fascinating to see the letters outlined and be able to help fill in the yud. It was very meaningful and it was just the right letter that I happened to receive. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jill Sisselman My family wrote the letter chet. I was expecting to show up and simply write a letter in the Torah and what i experienced was so much greater than just that. We created a mitzvah, decorated the Torah covering and had a memorable day that will keep us forever a part of Temple Beth Torah. The whole family had such a great experience. My niece had joined us and went home raving about how much fun she had. Thank you for putting the entire event together. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Robin Messinger - Temple Beth Torah - Melville NY Yud. He described it as humble. I found his explanation very meaningful and easily for my children to relate to. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Judi Milich - Temple Beth Torah - Melville NY We wrote the letter AYIN. Rabbi Selwyn explained that the letter refers to the eyes. He made our experience very meaningful because he told us all about this letter and the different meanings it can have. We enjoyed learning from Rabbi Selwyn. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Saralee Rosenberg - Temple Beth Torah - Melville NY I had the honor of writing the aleph in the first word of the book of Exodus. It was a wonderful experience, something I never thought possible. But not only did I get the chance to inscribe an important letter, the Sofer shared the explanation of how the letter aleph is formed and the significance of being surrounded by two vav's. The whole experience was very special and I was glad a photographer captured the moment. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Beth Fienman - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI We wrote the letter shin. This was a beautiful opportunity to share our religion with the entire family. I think they did a wonderful job of integrating all of the different elements. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Andrew B. Cooperstock - Har Hashem - Boulder CO Dear Rabbi, Just a quick note of thanks for our torah scribing session last night. I found the experience very meaningful and was glad to have had the opportunity to perform this mitzvah on behalf of my father and our family. I loved your explanation of the importance of my letter, kuf, as the first letter of kadosh, the symbol of the fullness of the number 100, and the homonym for monkey, representing happiness. One additional importance of kuf that only hit me when I left the room is that it was the first letter of our family name before it became anglicized. Don’t know how I misused that! The last couple of years have been difficult for our family, first with my mother’s passing, then with my father’s dementia and Parkinson’s, so the positiveness of our session was particularly welcome. Thank you again! Andrew and Family ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barry seifman - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Very educational , pleasant experience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Susan Lynn - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Aleph. it was a wonderful, informational and heartfelt experience ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Amy Scapelliti - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI My husband, Stephen and I wrote an ayin. We thought it was a wonderful experience....a once in a lifetime opportunity! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jill Mann - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Our letter, Alef, was part of the word Israel. It was meaningful for many reasons, especially since the _word_ Israel represents the Jewish people, and how important the land of Israel is to our people and culture. This experience further connects us to the synagogue, knowing that we wrote a letter that is in one of the Torahs that we will use at Temple for years to come. Maybe that Torah will be used for our children's Bar and Bat Mitzvah, or their children's Bar or Bat Mitzvahs! It was fascinating to learn about how the Torah is made and it was exciting to be a part of that ritualistic process. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Hannah Laner - Jewish Boulder CO The word we scribed was ולא the one right before ועסי, from Shmot 40:37. What a wonderful teaching! HaShem shows us the way and guides us. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Judy Solomon - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield, MI Letter yud This scribing experience was so powerful for my family--we have celebrated life cycle events at Temple Israel and we have had the support of our Temple community in very difficult times. To come together as a family to fulfill this mitzvah was amazing--joyful, beautiful and deeply personal--not just the scribing itself but to write our prayers for the Wall and make a tribute to our loved ones and to Rabbi Loss, who helped us find light in one of the darkest times. We are so happy to be one year later, able to share in this very special mitzvah. Thank you! The Solomons ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sheila Schiffer - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI ל - It was meaningful on several levels. Our family had gathered to write a letter in the Torah. Three of my granddaughters are students at Hillel Day School and they liked reading the parsha which surrounded the lamed. We all learned from the different stations surrounding the sofer. The "taste of Torah" trivia book will be enjoyed in each of our households. The program was well organized and appliicable to all ages. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Nancy Meininger - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI The word I wrote was HaMishkan I felt the opportunity to work with the scribe was the experience of a lifetime and my chance to truly express my love of Judaism. As a Jew by Choice, it was particularly meaningful to me, indeed an honor and a privilege to be included in this Torah that will endure well beyond my lifetime. The video preparation for the experience was informative and helped to enhance the actual hands on experience. My volunteer guide was both accommodating and attentive and made this time very special for me. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Neal Charness - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield, MI bnai: This was done just a few weeks before our kids' B'nai Mitzvah and a trip to Israel. It reinforces the connections and was meaningful for our children and us. I think the children will quietly remember this for a long time. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barbara Frankel - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI S - shin It was a wonderful feeling of belonging to the best Temple and the fact that we were all sharing this time together. How nice to have all of the information for us, we did learn a lot. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Burt & Mary schwartz -Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Burt and I enjoyed the Torah scribing experience immensely. The time spent was very well organized from watching the video,explaining all of the necessities from beginning to end in writing a Torah,to seeing and having explained each step along the way, to meeting the sofer(scribe) who showed and explained the letter we were given and then inscribing it. We also enjoyed the last step which involved decorating the wrap which will be used to tye the Torah upon completion. It was a wonderful learning experience that we will remember for a long time. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jan Jacobs - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Bet! I got to scribe with my 88 year old dad!!! The scribe was patient, answered lots of questions, and my dad talked about his GRANDFATHER, a man he had never mentioned before, and thought he had heard that this grandpa was also a scribe! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Norrine Freeman - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Our family loved the experience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ariel Boxman - Temple Shalom - Dallas, TX We had a wonderful experience scribing our very own Torah. Through the scribing experience, our congregants felt intimately connected to the Torah and our Jewish traditions. I am very grateful for this opportunity.

All Because of One Letter Inspiring personal accounts of Torah scribing.

Bernice Rosenthal - Congregation Brothers of Israel, Newtown, PA A once in a lifetime experience and all too quick. I would love to do it again and really get a good look at the process. Thank you for the opportunity. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jennifer Vistoso - Congregation Brothers of Israel, Newtown, PA It was a wonderfully magical moment to share with my family. To hold the quill was both physically and spiritually connecting. It is awe inspiring to know that our letter will be part of our Torah for many, many years to come, and we thank you for helping us be a part of this moment. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Patricia Benenson - Am Yisrael Congregation, Northfield IL I had an absolutely wonderful experience with the sofer. After the ritual hand washing, we sat down and he thoroughly explained my letter to me. It was fascinating to see the letters outlined and be able to help fill in the yud. It was very meaningful and it was just the right letter that I happened to receive. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jill Sisselman My family wrote the letter chet. I was expecting to show up and simply write a letter in the Torah and what i experienced was so much greater than just that. We created a mitzvah, decorated the Torah covering and had a memorable day that will keep us forever a part of Temple Beth Torah. The whole family had such a great experience. My niece had joined us and went home raving about how much fun she had. Thank you for putting the entire event together. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Robin Messinger - Temple Beth Torah - Melville NY Yud. He described it as humble. I found his explanation very meaningful and easily for my children to relate to. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Judi Milich - Temple Beth Torah - Melville NY We wrote the letter AYIN. Rabbi Selwyn explained that the letter refers to the eyes. He made our experience very meaningful because he told us all about this letter and the different meanings it can have. We enjoyed learning from Rabbi Selwyn. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Saralee Rosenberg - Temple Beth Torah - Melville NY I had the honor of writing the aleph in the first word of the book of Exodus. It was a wonderful experience, something I never thought possible. But not only did I get the chance to inscribe an important letter, the Sofer shared the explanation of how the letter aleph is formed and the significance of being surrounded by two vav's. The whole experience was very special and I was glad a photographer captured the moment. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Beth Fienman - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI We wrote the letter shin. This was a beautiful opportunity to share our religion with the entire family. I think they did a wonderful job of integrating all of the different elements. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Andrew B. Cooperstock - Har Hashem - Boulder CO Dear Rabbi, Just a quick note of thanks for our torah scribing session last night. I found the experience very meaningful and was glad to have had the opportunity to perform this mitzvah on behalf of my father and our family. I loved your explanation of the importance of my letter, kuf, as the first letter of kadosh, the symbol of the fullness of the number 100, and the homonym for monkey, representing happiness. One additional importance of kuf that only hit me when I left the room is that it was the first letter of our family name before it became anglicized. Don’t know how I misused that! The last couple of years have been difficult for our family, first with my mother’s passing, then with my father’s dementia and Parkinson’s, so the positiveness of our session was particularly welcome. Thank you again! Andrew and Family ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barry seifman - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Very educational , pleasant experience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Susan Lynn - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Aleph. it was a wonderful, informational and heartfelt experience ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Amy Scapelliti - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI My husband, Stephen and I wrote an ayin. We thought it was a wonderful experience....a once in a lifetime opportunity! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jill Mann - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Our letter, Alef, was part of the word Israel. It was meaningful for many reasons, especially since the _word_ Israel represents the Jewish people, and how important the land of Israel is to our people and culture. This experience further connects us to the synagogue, knowing that we wrote a letter that is in one of the Torahs that we will use at Temple for years to come. Maybe that Torah will be used for our children's Bar and Bat Mitzvah, or their children's Bar or Bat Mitzvahs! It was fascinating to learn about how the Torah is made and it was exciting to be a part of that ritualistic process. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Hannah Laner - Jewish Boulder CO The word we scribed was ולא the one right before ועסי, from Shmot 40:37. What a wonderful teaching! HaShem shows us the way and guides us. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Judy Solomon - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield, MI Letter yud This scribing experience was so powerful for my family--we have celebrated life cycle events at Temple Israel and we have had the support of our Temple community in very difficult times. To come together as a family to fulfill this mitzvah was amazing--joyful, beautiful and deeply personal--not just the scribing itself but to write our prayers for the Wall and make a tribute to our loved ones and to Rabbi Loss, who helped us find light in one of the darkest times. We are so happy to be one year later, able to share in this very special mitzvah. Thank you! The Solomons ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sheila Schiffer - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI ל - It was meaningful on several levels. Our family had gathered to write a letter in the Torah. Three of my granddaughters are students at Hillel Day School and they liked reading the parsha which surrounded the lamed. We all learned from the different stations surrounding the sofer. The "taste of Torah" trivia book will be enjoyed in each of our households. The program was well organized and appliicable to all ages. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Nancy Meininger - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI The word I wrote was HaMishkan I felt the opportunity to work with the scribe was the experience of a lifetime and my chance to truly express my love of Judaism. As a Jew by Choice, it was particularly meaningful to me, indeed an honor and a privilege to be included in this Torah that will endure well beyond my lifetime. The video preparation for the experience was informative and helped to enhance the actual hands on experience. My volunteer guide was both accommodating and attentive and made this time very special for me. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Neal Charness - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield, MI bnai: This was done just a few weeks before our kids' B'nai Mitzvah and a trip to Israel. It reinforces the connections and was meaningful for our children and us. I think the children will quietly remember this for a long time. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barbara Frankel - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI S - shin It was a wonderful feeling of belonging to the best Temple and the fact that we were all sharing this time together. How nice to have all of the information for us, we did learn a lot. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Burt & Mary schwartz -Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Burt and I enjoyed the Torah scribing experience immensely. The time spent was very well organized from watching the video,explaining all of the necessities from beginning to end in writing a Torah,to seeing and having explained each step along the way, to meeting the sofer(scribe) who showed and explained the letter we were given and then inscribing it. We also enjoyed the last step which involved decorating the wrap which will be used to tye the Torah upon completion. It was a wonderful learning experience that we will remember for a long time. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jan Jacobs - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Bet! I got to scribe with my 88 year old dad!!! The scribe was patient, answered lots of questions, and my dad talked about his GRANDFATHER, a man he had never mentioned before, and thought he had heard that this grandpa was also a scribe! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Norrine Freeman - Temple Israel - West Bloomfield MI Our family loved the experience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ariel Boxman - Temple Shalom - Dallas, TX We had a wonderful experience scribing our very own Torah. Through the scribing experience, our congregants felt intimately connected to the Torah and our Jewish traditions. I am very grateful for this opportunity.