Temple Beth Am Dedicates Special Torah

celebrated a very special Simchat Torah last Friday at its worship space at 879 S. Beverwyck Road. The service was highlighted by the dedication of an illustrated torah, a gift to the Temple by member Kim Gottheimer.  

This holy book is a unique publication. It was made in Jaifa, Israel, and there are only five torahs of its kind in the U.S. Each panel features a full-color representation of the parsha, each week's scripture reading, in Hebrew, English and pictorials.  The Simchat Torah or Rejoicing in the Torah celebration marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly torah readings.

As part of the traditional observance of Simchat Torah, the Temple’s torah scrolls were taken from the ark and danced around the synagogue seven times. At the conclusion, the illustrated torah was unfurled and wrapped around the entire congregation and several b'nai mitzvah students (youngsters studying for their bar and bat mitzvahs) chanted their parsha.

Gottheimer's gift will be used at monthly family services and in religious school education, according to Executive Director Marc Colton.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit Temple Beth Am to view the torah.