P’nai Or’s “Torah Repair Project”
was conceived when one of the panels of our Torah was found to be torn. After meeting with scribe R. Kevin Hale, P’nai Or agreed to have a new panel scribed, and to create a community siyyum (completion) with Rabbi Kevin as our guide. With Rabbis Marcia and Kevin, we’ll invite our ushpizim (loved ones who could not be with us on this day) and, according to the 613th commandment, ceremonially “write” the last 18 letters on the new panel!
Over a short period of time, members and friends of P’nai Or raised enough funds to pay for the panel to be rewritten and to bring R. Kevin to Philadelphia. We’ll learn from him, participate in an amazing ritual and then party, party, party… eat… sing… and dance to the music of the P’nai-Orchestra.
Torah Repair Project: Shabbaton & Siyyum
All events take place in the P’nai Or Davvenen and Study rooms.
Saturday, December 19
Community Shabbaton
- 9:15-10:15 Torah Study
- 10:30 Davennen led by R. Marcia and Hazzan Jack
Followed by
- Potluck lunch “catered by us;”
- Special Shabbos Shmooze with sofer R.Kevin Hale
- Seudah Shlishit (Third Meal)
- Ending with Havdalah!
Sunday, December 20
Siyyum for P’nai Or Members & Donors to the Torah Repair Project
(RSVP required by December 16 for members & donors’ luncheon – see below!)
- 9:45 Coffee and workshop facilitated by R. Kevin Hale. Learn about the history of P’nai Or Torahs; what makes a Torah Kosher; where Torahs are “scribed” based on number of columns, “font” style, eitzim design; tools used to “write a Torah” and much, much more.
- 11:00 Dancing and singing to mark the occasion
- 11:45 Siyyum (completion) ritual starts, includes finishing the last 18 letters of the newly written panel, special blessings, reading from our now Kosher Torah and party, party, party!
- 1:15 A special luncheon & dancing to the P’nai Or-chestra for members & project contributors
If you want to join us and are not yet a member or have not made a contribution, make check out to ‘P’nai Or’ and mail to:
Janet Neufeld
138 Lawnside Ave.
Collingswood, NJ 08108