Torah Dedication

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And now write for you this song...Deuteronomy 31:19

As the final commandment recorded in the Five Books of Moses,
the precept of writing a Sefer Torah is incumbent upon every Jew.  
Indeed, fulfilling this mitzvah is reckoned as an awesome source
of merit and blessing in one's life.  Though only select individuals
have the skill and expertise to actually write a Torah,
one my fulfill one's Biblical obligation by sponsoring a Sofer (qualified scribe)
to write a Torah on one's behalf.  Those not in the position of underwriting
the cost of an entire Torah may choose to sponsor a single book, 
portion, chapter, verse or even letter within a 
communally-written Torah.

As we write a new Torah for our community we invite you to
fulfill the 613th Mitzvah.

THE SEFER TORAH

A baby is named at the Torah, and a Bar Mitzvah is celebrated
with the Torah.  In times of need, prayers are offered
in front of the Torah.  Year after year we rejoice as we
once again complete all 53 weekly portions.

The Torah is the most precious article in Jewish life.  
Is is perfectly intact just as we received it over 3,300 years ago.  
Despite years of upheaval and suffering, not one of the Torah's 304,805 letters
has ever been changed!  The words we read in the 
synagogue today are exactly the same words as dictated
by G-d Himself, and recorded by Moshe.

In fact, there is no greater symbol of Jewish survival than
the Torah.  It links us to 3,324 years of unbroken Jewish
tradition, and it is the guarantee for our future and eternity.

OUR PERSONAL CONNECTION

Our Sages have taught that each and every Jew has a letter in the Torah, 
which corresponds to his or her soul and spiritual identity.  
Each and every letter is an essential part of the Torah,
and if even one letter is cracked or missing
the entire Torah scroll is not Kosher.
So too, each and every Jew is of the utmost importance and constitutes
an essential and integral part of the Jewish people.

AHAVATH TORAH COMMUNITY EFFORT

Congregation Ahavath Torah will be dedicating a Sefer Torah
in honor of Rabbi Shmuel and Barbara Goldin to
celebrate their thirty three years of service to our community.  
Just as we read the Torah in an annual cycle that marks the passage
of time while also highlighting the constancy
of our relationship with Hashem,
so will this dedication mark the transition from the 
Goldins to the Poupkos in a manner that emphasizes the 
remarkable continuity of our people and reaffirms the values that have
preserved us through the ages.

The funding for this Torah will be a joint effort of our
ENTIRE community.  We are offering a broad range of
sponsorship opportunities to allow everyone the ability to
participate in this special Mitzvah.  Certain items
will also offer the opportunity to commemorate
or honor a loved one.

THE DEDICATION

A special writing and dedication ceremony will be held on May 7th 
as we complete the Torah.  Everyone is invited to join.
This dedication will culminate the celebration being held 
from May 5-7 in honor of the Goldins.
ALL sponsors will be given the opportunity
to hold the quill and fulfill the commandment.

A plaque will be installed in our synagogue capturing the name of every family 
participating in this Mitzvah, providing a lasting
image of our Kehillah at this special moment
in our communal history.