In mid-September, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life embarked on a project to write a special Torah scroll for the University of Kansas community. On Feb. 22, the final touches will be put on the hand-written Torah. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}A joyous celebration in which Jews from all ways of life will dance in celebration through the streets of the KU campus is planned to commemorate what Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of KU Chabad, calls an historic event.
“After many months of hard work and effort and with support of so many friends and partners, the KU Jewish community is excited to celebrate with the completion of the very first Torah written exclusively for the Jewhawk community.” Rabbi Tiechtel said. “Hundreds of KU parents, alumni, students and friends are expected to attend this joyous event, as the final letters of this magnificent scroll are inked.”
A scribe based in Jerusalem, Israel, and affiliated with the Oraita organization was hired to do the bulk of the writing. Local scribe Rabbi Berel Sossover wrote the very first letters in the Torah at the opening event Sept. 14.
During the past few months several letter writing ceremonies have taken place at different locations in Lawrence — including Jewish fraternities, the KU Hillel offices and at Naismith Hall — giving the student community a chance to participate in this project.
Rabbi Tiechtel calls all Torah scrolls, and this one in particular, “a mind-boggling masterpiece of labor and skill.”
He explained it is comprised of between 62 and 84 sheets of parchment that is cured, tanned, scraped and prepared according to exact Torah law specifications. Containing exactly 304,805 letters, this scroll took five months to complete.
Scribes are rigorously trained and have to follow strict rules regarding everything from the quality of the parchment to the type of ink used on the scroll.
“The slightest error voids the entire 54-portion parchment,” the Chabad rabbi said.
He said the Torah-writing project and fundraising campaign was launched in recognition of the vibrant Jewish life at the University of Kansas, and “with the intention to further unite the entire KU Jewish community around our holy Torah.”
The Torah itself has been sponsored by Sarah and Elliot Tamir in memory of Elliot’s parents, Jack and Linda Tamir. Other members of the community sponsored a letter or a phrase as well as various pieces of the Torah including the yad, wooden rollers and silver breastplate.
Many students are excited about the project.
“This event is not just about the writing of the Torah, it signifies a much deeper connection within the Jewish people at KU,” stated KU sophomore Jordan Esterman. “The most important element within the Torah is unity, and by writing a Torah specifically for the KU Jewish community, we are celebrating Jewish unity and solidarity.”
The Jewish communities of Lawrence and greater Kansas City have been invited to the grand celebration. It will include a special ceremony where the scribe will invite various community leaders and partners to inscribe the final letters in the Torah.
This will then be followed by a magnificent “Torah Parade,” as people of all ages and affiliations will march together with the Torah scroll from the Chabad Center through the KU campus. A float carrying a live band will be leading the parade, along with flags, torches and dancing.
At the conclusion of the parade, all are invited to join together for a gala celebratory lunch at the grand ballroom of the Kansas Union. A special cantorial musical performance will be presented at the lunch by renowned cantor Aryeh Hurwitz, along with a video presentation, greetings and gourmet foods.
Annabella Zighelboim, student president of KU Chabad, said she’s grateful that the KU Jewish community will now have its own Torah.
“A KU Torah is a great blessing because we now have our own compass, our own foundation to show us the way to more upright, selfless and elevated lives,” she said.
Rabbi Tiechtel added that this scroll is a very appropriate addition to the KU community.
“It represents the unbroken chain of Jewish tradition and survival. The ancient wisdom contained in this scroll is the essence of our identity as Jews, and possessing our own Torah scroll at an academic center of learning is cause for great pride and celebration.”
The event is open to the community free of charge; RSVP’s are requested at the special Torah website www.KUTorah.com. KU Chabad is also still accepting donations toward the KU Unity Torah. Individuals can dedicate a letter, word or verse in honor of a loved one and a certificate will be sent directly to their homes. More information is also available on the website.
“By participating in this special KU Unity Torah, not only will you have the great merit of fulfilling the very last mitzvah, the 613th commandment of writing a personal Torah scroll, but you will also help to further enhance Jewish life at the University of Kansas,” Rabbi Tiechtel said.{/mprestriction}