All Because of One Letter Inspiring personal accounts of Torah scribing.

Kenneth Parker - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX It was a beautiful experience. A sharing with the current congregation and knowing that it will be shared with many future generations of Temple Shalom. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Denise Mayoff - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX The sofer was very warm and welcoming. He explained the process to us, making the whole experience seem very personal to our family. I do not remember which letter we wrote, but we did learn the meaning of the letter and its symbolism. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Maury Marcus - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX I felt warm and happy, and part of something wonderful and larger. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Carol Margolis - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX Trying to get a busy family of four together to go to Temple is not an easy task but we got our teenage son and daughter to join us to scribe a letter in the Torah. The experience with the sofer was moving, personal and memorable for all of us. It is truly an experience our family will treasure for a lifetime. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gordon Cherry - Ceremony Chair - Temple Sholom Vancouver, BC We wrote: In Honor of our Family - Past Present and Future Since that time our beautiful granddaughter Ara Elena (Hinda Leah) was born and she is the future along with other grandchildren and great grandchildren that will G-d willing be born. We were very inspired by Rabbi Druin's "drosh" on our letter and were in tears from the great spirit we felt. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Anne Andrew - Temple Sholom Vancouver, BC I scribed the letter hay in the word "vavohu" - chaos! Making order out of chaos is a common theme in my life, so the letter seems to fit very well. Hay is the first letter of my maiden surname (Hulman) and I particularly like that it is part of God's name and the letter that was added to Sarah and Abraham's names. It also contains within it the letter dalet, which is a personal favorite. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Arlene Needleman - Temple Beth Israel I wrote the letter Lamed. L'lamade means to learn. I have been teaching B'nai Mitzvah students for 35 years in Broward county. My daughter is a speeech Pathologist and for our family this was very significant. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Joshua Sherbin, Head Chair - Temple Shir Shalom, MI My family wrote the letter hey during the first day we organized for temple members to scribe. We learned about the 5 fingers, sense and dimensions represented by hey. As the project chair for our Torah project, the impact of the hey had special meaning as it captured the multi-dimensional impact of the project on our congregation - emotional, intellectual and transcendent on the oneness of our congregation. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Malcolm Cohen - Temple Sinai Las Vegas, NV I wrote the letter raysh at the end of D'varim. The writing took place at the end of the dedication ceremony of the shul and the Torah. Writing the raysh, I felt great responsibility as the 'rosh" of the kehilah for helping the congregation write our next chapter. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Bat-Sheva Slavin - Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn Heights NY ... and finally on the morning of the Hachnast Sefer Hatorah, My husband and myself where RANDOMLY honered in inscribing the last NUN of the Torah, (there were only 6 Letters left to be inscribed) Unnknown to the rest of the committee my midle name is Nechama and every one knows my husbend name as Nathan, is Hebrew name is Nachum. Down to the last minute just befor we marched the torah warped in the whimple into the sunctuary... till today It is M-Y torah and each and every indevidual who was involved in Mitzvah 613, feels that it is their special Torah... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Mark Levin - Congregation Beth Torah, KS Sofer On Site has wonderful people who are very adept at Torah Writing. Hundreds of our families at Beth Torah had an uplifting experience in writing their letter in the Torah. I wholeheartedly suggest this as a means to get members more involved in Torah, study and spirituality issues. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cantor Ofer Barnoy - Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn My family and I wrote a "Vav" and were delighted to learn that this letter is the connecting "glue" in the Hebrew language. Rabbi Druin's explanation was insightful and made the experience of writing emotional. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Caren Plotkin - Temple Shalom My husband and I wrote the letter "shin". This was incredibly meaningful to us since it is the first letter of our eldest daughter's name, Shelli, who lost her battle against brain cancer five years ago at age 26. The experience touched us deeply. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barb English - Temple Beth El My letter was the aleph. Rabbi told me that because of my deep involvement with our temple, as Sisterhood President, Board member etc that I should think of myself as "a leader", someone who get's things done and someone who stands up for what they believe. It was a bit embarrassing as I, among many, work hard for our synagogue and are proud to be part of our temple family. Our visit with Sofer on Site was both educational and inspirational. As we participated in writing the Torah, Rabbi Druin connected each person to his or her letter, demonstrating that just as every letter of the Torah matters so does every person. Both are unique and significant in their own way. We all felt the same after the weekend was over. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience that none of us will ever forget. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Michael Rubner - Temple Shalom, Naples I scribed the letters Bet and Hey. Together, they form the abbreviation for Baruch Hashem, G-d be blessed. I felt blessed as well! I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Rabbi Selwyn during each of his visits to our Temple. Scribing two Torah letters with his guidance was a once in a lifetime experience that I will always cherish. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Howard Sowalsky - Beth El Temple - West Hartford, CT Excellent! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Henry Levy - Temple Judea of Manhasset My family jointly wrote the letter mem. My young grandchildren - ages 9&6 were mesmirized by the experience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Brian Strauss - Beth Yeshurun A terrific experience. The scribes were engaging, warm, and made everyone's experience a memorable one. I was amazed by their attention to detail and accessibility. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Irwin Zeplowitz - The Community Synagogue - Port Washington, NY In addition to the great honor of sharing with the other clergy at the synagogue in writing the first and final letters, I joined my family in writing the 'aleph' in the word 'or' - the 'light' created by the Holy One at the beginning. Our family was inspired by the light of Torah learning - and participating with so many hundreds of others in our community Torah. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jonathan burstein - Temple Aliyah Sofer on site made our torah writing experience somthing special, the Rabbi had somthing special to say to each individual writing a letter. I could not believe the passion and joy which they injected into our Torah....they were simply put...the BEST. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Frances DuMoulin - Temple Ahavat Shalom We wrote a Mem - which is the first letter in both my father-in- laws name and our grandson. Truly generation to generation. My husband and I chaired the Torah Writing committee and I must say it was one of the most fulfilling volunteer jobs we have ever done. Rabbi Druin was the easiest person to work with. He put up with all our mishagash and always was so accommodating. The experience he gave each and every signer was so inspiring. Most people came out of the sanctuary in tears at the way he had connected to each and everyone. He seems to have a special sense as to what people need and are looking for to make them feel fulfilled. Watching him with our children was so amazing. When he met with the preschool, I was told they only can really pay attention to one thing for 20 minutes. After 40 minutes while he still had the kids enthralled we had to interupt as we had people waiting to write in the torah. The experience also provided me a chance to really get to know our congregation as I spoke with everyone who signed to set up their appointment and was time comsuming it was also so rewarding - not one person called to complain - everyone was so grateful for the opportunity to write a letter in the torah. The materials and suggestions of Sofer on Site were also a great help as we set up the experience that our congregants would have. We thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you and would be glad to talk with anyone who is considering working with you to tell about our wonderful experience.

All Because of One Letter Inspiring personal accounts of Torah scribing.

Kenneth Parker - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX It was a beautiful experience. A sharing with the current congregation and knowing that it will be shared with many future generations of Temple Shalom. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Denise Mayoff - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX The sofer was very warm and welcoming. He explained the process to us, making the whole experience seem very personal to our family. I do not remember which letter we wrote, but we did learn the meaning of the letter and its symbolism. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Maury Marcus - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX I felt warm and happy, and part of something wonderful and larger. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Carol Margolis - Temple Shalom, Dallas TX Trying to get a busy family of four together to go to Temple is not an easy task but we got our teenage son and daughter to join us to scribe a letter in the Torah. The experience with the sofer was moving, personal and memorable for all of us. It is truly an experience our family will treasure for a lifetime. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gordon Cherry - Ceremony Chair - Temple Sholom Vancouver, BC We wrote: In Honor of our Family - Past Present and Future Since that time our beautiful granddaughter Ara Elena (Hinda Leah) was born and she is the future along with other grandchildren and great grandchildren that will G- d willing be born. We were very inspired by Rabbi Druin's "drosh" on our letter and were in tears from the great spirit we felt. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Anne Andrew - Temple Sholom Vancouver, BC I scribed the letter hay in the word "vavohu" - chaos! Making order out of chaos is a common theme in my life, so the letter seems to fit very well. Hay is the first letter of my maiden surname (Hulman) and I particularly like that it is part of God's name and the letter that was added to Sarah and Abraham's names. It also contains within it the letter dalet, which is a personal favorite. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Arlene Needleman - Temple Beth Israel I wrote the letter Lamed. L'lamade means to learn. I have been teaching B'nai Mitzvah students for 35 years in Broward county. My daughter is a speeech Pathologist and for our family this was very significant. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Joshua Sherbin, Head Chair - Temple Shir Shalom, MI My family wrote the letter hey during the first day we organized for temple members to scribe. We learned about the 5 fingers, sense and dimensions represented by hey. As the project chair for our Torah project, the impact of the hey had special meaning as it captured the multi-dimensional impact of the project on our congregation - emotional, intellectual and transcendent on the oneness of our congregation. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Malcolm Cohen - Temple Sinai Las Vegas, NV I wrote the letter raysh at the end of D'varim. The writing took place at the end of the dedication ceremony of the shul and the Torah. Writing the raysh, I felt great responsibility as the 'rosh" of the kehilah for helping the congregation write our next chapter. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Bat-Sheva Slavin - Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn Heights NY ... and finally on the morning of the Hachnast Sefer Hatorah, My husband and myself where RANDOMLY honered in inscribing the last NUN of the Torah, (there were only 6 Letters left to be inscribed) Unnknown to the rest of the committee my midle name is Nechama and every one knows my husbend name as Nathan, is Hebrew name is Nachum. Down to the last minute just befor we marched the torah warped in the whimple into the sunctuary... till today It is M-Y torah and each and every indevidual who was involved in Mitzvah 613, feels that it is their special Torah... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Mark Levin - Congregation Beth Torah, KS Sofer On Site has wonderful people who are very adept at Torah Writing. Hundreds of our families at Beth Torah had an uplifting experience in writing their letter in the Torah. I wholeheartedly suggest this as a means to get members more involved in Torah, study and spirituality issues. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cantor Ofer Barnoy - Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn My family and I wrote a "Vav" and were delighted to learn that this letter is the connecting "glue" in the Hebrew language. Rabbi Druin's explanation was insightful and made the experience of writing emotional. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Caren Plotkin - Temple Shalom My husband and I wrote the letter "shin". This was incredibly meaningful to us since it is the first letter of our eldest daughter's name, Shelli, who lost her battle against brain cancer five years ago at age 26. The experience touched us deeply. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barb English - Temple Beth El My letter was the aleph. Rabbi told me that because of my deep involvement with our temple, as Sisterhood President, Board member etc that I should think of myself as "a leader", someone who get's things done and someone who stands up for what they believe. It was a bit embarrassing as I, among many, work hard for our synagogue and are proud to be part of our temple family. Our visit with Sofer on Site was both educational and inspirational. As we participated in writing the Torah, Rabbi Druin connected each person to his or her letter, demonstrating that just as every letter of the Torah matters so does every person. Both are unique and significant in their own way. We all felt the same after the weekend was over. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience that none of us will ever forget. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Michael Rubner - Temple Shalom, Naples I scribed the letters Bet and Hey. Together, they form the abbreviation for Baruch Hashem, G-d be blessed. I felt blessed as well! I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Rabbi Selwyn during each of his visits to our Temple. Scribing two Torah letters with his guidance was a once in a lifetime experience that I will always cherish. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Rabbi Howard Sowalsky - Beth El Temple - West Hartford, CT Excellent! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Henry Levy - Temple Judea of Manhasset My family jointly wrote the letter mem. My young grandchildren - ages 9&6 were mesmirized by the experience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Brian Strauss - Beth Yeshurun A terrific experience. The scribes were engaging, warm, and made everyone's experience a memorable one. I was amazed by their attention to detail and accessibility. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Irwin Zeplowitz - The Community Synagogue - Port Washington, NY In addition to the great honor of sharing with the other clergy at the synagogue in writing the first and final letters, I joined my family in writing the 'aleph' in the word 'or' - the 'light' created by the Holy One at the beginning. Our family was inspired by the light of Torah learning - and participating with so many hundreds of others in our community Torah. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jonathan burstein - Temple Aliyah Sofer on site made our torah writing experience somthing special, the Rabbi had somthing special to say to each individual writing a letter. I could not believe the passion and joy which they injected into our Torah....they were simply put...the BEST. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Frances DuMoulin - Temple Ahavat Shalom We wrote a Mem - which is the first letter in both my father-in-laws name and our grandson. Truly generation to generation. My husband and I chaired the Torah Writing committee and I must say it was one of the most fulfilling volunteer jobs we have ever done. Rabbi Druin was the easiest person to work with. He put up with all our mishagash and always was so accommodating. The experience he gave each and every signer was so inspiring. Most people came out of the sanctuary in tears at the way he had connected to each and everyone. He seems to have a special sense as to what people need and are looking for to make them feel fulfilled. Watching him with our children was so amazing. When he met with the preschool, I was told they only can really pay attention to one thing for 20 minutes. After 40 minutes while he still had the kids enthralled we had to interupt as we had people waiting to write in the torah. The experience also provided me a chance to really get to know our congregation as I spoke with everyone who signed to set up their appointment and was time comsuming it was also so rewarding - not one person called to complain - everyone was so grateful for the opportunity to write a letter in the torah. The materials and suggestions of Sofer on Site were also a great help as we set up the experience that our congregants would have. We thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you and would be glad to talk with anyone who is considering working with you to tell about our wonderful experience.