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Parashat M'tzora
 
A San Diego Torah
for the Troops

 

April 4, 2014

5 Nisan 5774

 

Candle Lighting: 6:52 p.m.


This Shabbat - Please join us at 9:15 a.m. for a traditional P'sukei D'zimra.

 

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Dear Friends:

The Jacobs Family
A few years ago our congregation participated in a "Torah for the Troops" campaign that was spearheaded locally by Gary Jacobs. After making a lead gift, Gary encouraged San Diego Synagogues, the Jewish Federation, and the Jewish Community Foundation to contribute funds to commission the writing of a Torah scroll for Jewish members of the United States Armed Forces.

I recently learned that our congregation, through the generosity of our members, made one of the largest synagogue gifts to this campaign. I was honored to represent Tifereth Israel Synagogue Tuesday when the Torah scroll was completed and dedicated.

In the morning, Judy and I participated in a siyum (completion ceremony) for the new scroll. When a Torah is written, the last few letters are left incomplete for donors and other honorees to complete. This ceremony was held during the Biennial convention of the JCC's of North America that was held in San Diego. 
 
The Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) Chaplains Council, which supports and endorses Jewish military and VA chaplains, is part of the JCC structure. At the siyum were chaplains from every branch of the Armed Forces as well as members of San Diego's Jewish community. We each authorized sofer (scribe) Zerach Greenfield to complete a letter of the new Torah scroll on our behalf. 
 
Rabbi Harold Robinson
That night Judy and I also attended the concluding program and dinner for the Biennial conference which was held aboard the USS Midway. Braving the cold and wind, after a moving program in which the Director of the JWB, Rabbi Harold Robinson, a retired Rear Admiral and Navy chaplain, received a prestigious award acknowledging his work and contribution to Jewish service men and women, the Torah was dedicated. 
 
I was honored, along with Rabbi Michael Berk (Congregation Beth Israel), Rabbi Devorah Marcus (Temple Emanu-El), and Michael Sonduk (Jewish Federation of San Diego County), to hold the Chuppah under which Gary Jacobs and his children carried the Torah scroll to the stage. There it was presented to Rabbi Robinson, and the Chuppah poles were turned over to chaplains representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. They escorted the Torah off the stage to begin its service to our troops.

 
This Torah scroll is unique in that it was written specifically to accompany chaplains in the field, bringing Torah to our troops rather than requiring them to come to a synagogue or chapel. The scroll is very small (11" tall) and light, and has its own military protective container. These small scrolls are quite challenging to write since the calligraphy not only has to be tiny, but clear enough to easily read. They are amazingly beautiful. 
 
Jewish Chaplains
San Diego's scroll is the fourth out of the five "Torah for the Troops" Torahs that are currently commissioned. Donors are being sought nationally for one more. Tifereth Israel and the entire San Diego Jewish community should be proud that we have performed this mitzvah for the men and women who defend our country.

 
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal 
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
San Diego, CA 92119 
 

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Shabbat Candle Lighting: 6:52 p.m.

Family Shabbat Service: 6:15 p.m.

Shabbat Morning Service: 9:15 a.m.
Torah Discussion Group follows the service


[email protected]
619-697-6001