Torah Return Project
Over 75 years ago, Jewish communities throughout Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus (the “Region”) were forced to hide their Torah scrolls, and at last to give them up altogether. Today, with the rebirth of Jewish life in the region there is a profound shortage of Torah Scrolls. In the summer of '04, on the "Voyage on the Volga," Project Kesher brought six Torahs to the place from which Torah had been exiled. Some of the Torahs had originated in Eastern Europe. For the 2007 “Summit on the Black Sea,” Project Kesher once again brought Torah scrolls donated from communities and individuals in the United States to Jewish communities throughout the CIS. Since the beginning of the project, PK has brought over thirty-six Torah scrolls to the region and another to Israel for the women’s Russian-speaking community. Torahs thirty-seven and thirty-eight are in NYC waiting to go to the Region when the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Here are the stories of a few of the Torahs:
1. From Havurat Re’im in Teaneck, New Jersey, to Volgograd, Russia - This Torah is used weekly by the local community. More than 200 people have taken Torah trop class, more than 120 have celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah and 300 dance with the Torah annually for Simchat Torah. The Torah is used by the Or Avner secondary school and was featured on the cover of Lechaim, a Jewish magazine distributed to 50,000 Jews in Russia. Facilitated by: Elaine Cohen, Carried by: Joanne Landau, Dedicated/Sponsored by David and Brenda Oestreich and Eunice Ward.
2. From Temple Beth El in Helena, Arkansas to Vinnitsa, Ukraine – Vinnitsa has a graduate of the Progressive movement’s Machon program who has been very active in incorporating the Torah into the life of the Jewish community. More than 500 danced with the Torah at Simchat Torah this year and more than 80 have become B’nai Mitzvah. The former Jewish Prime Minister of Ukraine, Vladimir Groisman is from Vinnitsa and he was a huge supporter of Project Kesher’s work when he was mayor of Vinnitsa. Facilitated and Carried by: Nancy Solomon
3. From 90 year old Holocaust survivor Sandra Brand to Bobruisk, Belarus, “This Torah has brought together the Progressive and secular Jewish community, as well as three local Jewish schools. There are regular holiday celebrations, B’nai Mitzvah and ongoing Torah study for the 130+ students in the Jewish schools and adults.” Facilitated by: Rabbi Goldie Milgram Carried by: Janice Rous Dedicated/Sponsored by: Elaine Gorbach Levine Foundation
4. From Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Ulyanovsk, Russia - After receiving their Torah, the mayor returned the synagogue building seized during WWII) to the community. To date, more than 200 people have learned to read Torah, more than 60 have become B’nai Mitzvah and 500 dance annually with the Torah at Simchat Torah. Facilitated by: Rita Kashner
Carried by: Linda Abrams Dedicated/Sponsored by: The Kashner Family
5. From Spring Valley, New York to Orel, Russia – The community of Orel has been celebrating holidays with the Torah since its arrival. Currently, a young leader in the community is in Israel studying at the Progressive movement’s Machon program so that she can facilitate weekly study. The woman was inspired to connect to her Jewish roots when the Torah arrived in her town. Facilitated by: Sheila Friedland Carried by: Rita Kashner and Sheila Friedland Dedicated/Sponsored by Lambert/Kaplan
6. From New Hyde Park Synagogue, New Hyde Park, NY to Moscow Jewish Community Home – This Torah was hand delivered to its new home for Simchat Torah. Members of the Project Kesher delegation were able to dance with the Torah and the community in celebration.
Facilitated by: Barbara Glickstein Carried by: Debbie Friedman and Sharon Ufberg
Representing Project Kesher the Torah was presented to the Jewish Community by David Oestreich.
7. From Joan and Richard S. Toder to Yevpatoria, Ukraine – This Torah was donated in loving memory of Ilse and Max Brenner by their children. Yevpatoria has 1600 Jews and an active Progressive Jewish community. Project Kesher’s activists have worked closely with this religious community since 2005. The Progressive movement has an active teen program and Project Kesher has a multi-faith women’s coalition. The community built an Aron Kodesh and underwrote their mantle. The Jewish community of Yevpatoria is more than 100 years old. Facilitated by: Joan Toder and Rabbi Rick Jacobs Dedicated/Sponsored: The Lambert and Frederick Families
8. From Queensboro Hill Jewish Center, Flushing, Queens, New York to Vladikavkaz, Russia, a community of 400,000 with 2,000 Jews. While a more recent member of Project Kesher’s network, this community has had active Jewish life since 1993. This Jewish community was at the forefront of humanitarian relief after the terrorist attack against the school in Beslan, sending money, medicine, household appliance and arranging for children to travel to the US and Israel. The community has reclaimed their synagogue. Torah Cover: This Torah was donated by the Queensboro Hill Jewish Center, Flushing, Queens. Torah Wimpel: This Torah was placed in Vladikavkaz through the generosity of David and Brenda Oestreich & Sonia and Joe Michelson Facilitated by: Sarah Asher, Linda Wetchler, Rita Kashner and David Oestreich Dedicated/Sponsored: David and Brenda Oestreich & Sonia and Joe Michelson
9. From Rodeph Sholom, New York, New York to Kerch, Ukraine – Kerch, , has had a Project Kesher presence since 1998. Today, they have a full range of Project Kesher Jewish educational and activist programs. Kerch has an active Progressive Jewish community and a good relationship with the Jewish Agency. They have a sister community in London, England.
Torah Cover: This Torah was donated by Congregation Rodeph Sholom, New York. Torah Wimpel: This Torah was placed in Kerch through the generosity of Sheila Lambert and Linda F. Vogel Kaplan Facilitated by: Linda F. Vogel Kaplan and Nancy Solomon Dedicated/Sponsored: Sheila Lambert and Linda F. Vogel Kaplan
10. From Temple Israel, New Rochelle, New York to Lutsk, Ukraine - Lutsk, in Western Ukraine, has 4,000 Jews and an active Progressive community which has built an Aron Kodesh and underwriting the mantle for its new Torah. Project Kesher has a strong women’s group and an ORT KesherNet Center in this community. Project Kesher also has an active multi-faith women’s coalition and has gotten extensive local media coverage for its work.
Torah Cover: This Torah was donated by members of Temple Israel, New Rochelle, New York in honor of its 100th anniversary. Torah Wimpel: This Torah was placed in Lutsk through the generosity of Joan and Peter Cohn and friends. Facilitated by: Carol Balik, Ellen Meiner, Elizabeth Weingast, Paul Warhit, Rabbi Amiel Wohl, Cantor Erik Contzius, Rabbi Evan Goodman Dedicated/Sponsored by Joan and Peter Cohn and Friends
For more information or to make a donation, contact Shira Pruce, Director of Development, shirapruce@projectkesher.org 732-351-9696.