Page 11 - The Jewish Voice - December '23

The Jewish Voice, Page 11

Local Happenings from page 10

Relationships and Difficult People, Harmony in Marriage,
Internal Conflict and Finding Inner Peace, When Bad Things
Happen to Us, and Connecting with our Deepest Core.
The 613th Commandment –

Temple Judea Writes a Sefer Torah

When the war broke out on October 7, Temple Judea was
just five days away from launching a major initiative that had
been planned since 2020 — writing a new sefer Torah. What family together to create this Torah for future generations would
should they do? Should they cancel it? Should they postpone be exactly what the community needs.
it? Could they be joyous at this time? Could they celebrate the And so they did. On October 15, Temple Judea invited its two
613th mitzvah as a congregation? youngest kindergarteners, and their parents and grandparents, to
How would they balance what is happening in Israel with write the first letter in the Torah. The klezmer band played boldly.
their planned year? The rabbis, cantor, and parents danced to Am Yisrael Chai, David
After much reflection, debate, and thoughtful conversation, Melech Yisrael, and paraded around the sanctuary with 100
they realized that embracing this mitzvah and bringing the temple school-aged children in tow. They handed out 25 certificates for
bar/bat mitzvah dates and blessed all the new students.

Local Happenings on page 12