Inscribing Our Future - What Does It Mean
Inscribing Our Future is Chizuk Amuno’s Sefer Torah Project (sefer is the Hebrew word for scroll). We have the opportunity to fulfill the 613th commandment – the final mitzvah – the commandment to write a Torah. Every member of our Chizuk Amuno family will have the chance to take part in the writing of this Torah, the scroll that will be our legacy for those who came before us and for those generations that will come after us.
- Inscribing Our Future - What Does It Mean?
Inscribing Our Future is Chizuk Amuno’s Sefer Torah Project (sefer is the Hebrew word for scroll). We have the opportunity to fulfill the 613th commandment – the final mitzvah – the commandment to write a Torah. Every member of our Chizuk Amuno family will have the chance to take part in the writing of this Torah, the scroll that will be our legacy for those who came before us and for those generations that will come after us.
- Why Do We Need a New Torah?
Chizuk Amuno congregants lovingly read from our sifrei Torah every Shabbat, festivals, and on many other special occasions. This repeated use causes wear on our scrolls. Our newly commissioned Torah will become one of Chizuk Amuno’s primary sifrei Torah for us, our children, and our children’s children.
- Are We Really Writing This Torah?
Yes, the process has begun in Israel where Sofer (scribe) Rabbi Yossi Green is writing most of the Torah text. We will be receiving sections of the parchment with certain text in outlined form. Then, Rabbi Moshe Druin will join us at Chizuk Amuno where he will guide us in filling in letters outlined by Rabbi Green. When the letters have been inscribed, the parchments will be sewn together and our Torah will be complete.
- When Do We Begin?
The Opening Ceremony and first letter fill-in will take place on Sunday, February 13, 2011. Throughout the year there will be several additional letter fill-in sessions. The Closing Ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 12, 2012.
- Who Can Participate?
Inscribing Our Future is a project for and about our Chizuk Amuno community and future generations. We encourage all members of our community to take part in this mitzvah, which is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Members of our community include all of our school families.
- What is a Dedication and Why Should I Make One?
It is customary when writing a new Torah for the whole community to financially support its creation by dedicating portions of text. A dedication is a contribution made by selecting a portion of the Torah in order to honor or remember a loved one, or to commemorate a simhah. We hope that members who have the ability and desire will chose to make a dedication. Your generous contribution will support all of the wonderful programs and activities that make our synagogue a community.
- What Dedication Opportunities are Available?
There are a variety of dedication opportunities from which you can choose. These range from a single letter to the dedication of the entire Torah. The Chizuk Amuno clergy will help you identify an appropriate and meaningful dedication opportunity for you and your family. The full list of dedication opportunities can be found at www.chizukamuno.org.
- Can I Participate without Making a Dedication?
Yes! While we encourage everyone who participates to make a dedication, it is not required in order to fill in a letter.
- Do We Fill in the Book, Verse, Word, or Letter that We Dedicate?
We will be filling in the outlined letters that appear in the text as chosen by the sofer. While your dedication might be for a specific letter, word, or book, it will most likely not correspond to the letter you are filling in. Each family will have the opportunity to complete one letter of the Torah.
- How Will My Participation Be Commemorated?
You will receive a photo and a certificate to commemorate your special mitzvah of writing a Torah. In addition, when the Torah is complete, individuals and families who make a $1,000 dedication or above will be called to the Torah on the Shabbat when the portion they dedicated is read. Dedications will also be recognized prominently in a permanent display.
