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Event JournalChabad of Venice & North Port

B”H

Community TorahSunday

February 16, 201416 Adar 1, 5774

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Dear Friends,

Shalom and Blessings.

We are delighted that you are joining us today for this special occasion as we complete and celebrate the dedication of a brand new Torah Scroll to Chabad of Venice & North Port. This scroll has been generousy donated by the community, and David Schlesinger in loving memory of his father, Herman Schlesinger.

Beginning from the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, the Torah and our traditions have been passed on in an unbroken chain throughout the ages. As the Jewish People have journeyed, the Torah has traveled with us, bringing the vibrancy and joy of Judaism to each community we have settled in.

It is with a profound sense of gratitude to Hashem that we are able to hold such a celebration here in Venice, and we look forward to the future growth of Chabad in our new building.

In the back of this journal, you will find a piece of the original velvet used to cover our new Sefer Torah – please accept this as a souvenir of this unique day. May it bring you and your family many blessings.

Every letter in a Torah Scroll is vital, for if one letter is missing, the scroll is invalid.

The Jewish nation is compared to a Torah, thus each Jew is infinitely precious and contributes to the nation as a whole. The completion of a new Torah Scroll signals unity of the community. When we are together, we merit G-d’s blessing.

May this day be a source of blessing for good health, physically and spiritually for all our families, the entire community and for all of Israel.

Warmly,Rabbi Sholom Ber & Chaya Rivka SchmerlingChabad of Venice & North Port

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Event Program1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Handwriting of the final lines of the Torahlocation: Tent

mMagic Show for Childrenlocation: Chabad House

mAvailable for purchase: letters/words/verses/portions

location: Chabad Housem

Dedication of new Ner Tamid- Harry Samuelsm

Tribute to the victims of the Holocaust- Helga Melmed, Holocaust survivor

T2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.Video Presentation

mRabbi’s Greetings

m Dedication to Honorees

Dan & Shellie RubinSteve & Abbie DavisDavid Schlesinger

mLifting & Dressing of the Torah

Hagbah (picking up the Torah)Gelila (tying and covering of the Torah)

Mantel, Breastplate, Yad, Crown

T3:15 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Grand Chupah procession on US 41 with live music and dancing

T4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Dinner BuffetHebrew School Presentation

Location: Tentm

Children’s Food Tablelocation: outside of tent

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Chai SocietyThank You To Our Chai Society Members

> Alex & Irene Aizen> Morton Bachikoff> Ron & Joan Braun

> Dr. Robert & Dasi Brent> Samuel & Rochel Brook> David & Edie Chaifetz> Steve & Abbie Davis> Emil & Mary Dudko

> David & Sandra Fields> Dr. Alex & Julia Gaukhman

> Robert & Luisa Goldman> Mira Matchin

> Andrew & Melanie McGill> Marc Miles

> Harry Samuels> Dan & Shellie Rubin> David Schlesinger> John & Judy Sokal

> Myron & Ronnie Storch> Dr. Jeffrey & Sasha Sklar

> Boris & Maya Tayter> David Thouse

> Jerry & Gayle Zingerman> Alan & Dori Zingmond

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About Chabad

warm.inspirational. warm.

educational. spiritual. warm.non-judgmental. community. Chabad of Venice and North Port.

Chabad of Venice & North Port has become a popular center for Jews of all backgrounds who want to learn more about their Jewish roots. Located in the heart of Venice, FL, Chabad offers a wide variety of educational and spiritual opportunities, including Torah classes, lectures, Shabbat dinners, and an array of family and social activities. Traditional Jewish values are brought to life in a joyous, non-judgmental atmosphere. Chabad serves all segments of the Jewish community. Everyone is welcome regardless of their personal level of religious observance. The philosophy is in keeping with the Chabad-Lubavitch approach of joy, scholarship and unconditional acceptance and love for every Jew.

The Rebbe , Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schnnerson, devoted his life to bringing Jews closer to Judaism, sending Shluchim, emissaries throughout the globe. The Chabad movement comprises more than 2,500 centers throughout the world and emphasizes Ahavas Yisrael, love for one’s fellow, and the importance of living a Jewish life. The Rebbe’s passionate and uncompromising love for humanity is legendary. His insistence that all Jews are equal, regardless of background, affiliation or level of observance; his love and devotion to the Land of Israel and his love for G-d and Torah –are the beacons of truth and love that continue to guide and inspire us here in South County and throughout the world.

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In AppreciationSilvER ToRAH CRown Dedicated by Dan & Shellie Rubin in honor of their children and grandchildren

THE 5 BookS oF ToRAH

Book of Genesis Dedicated by Ron & Joan Braun in honor of their parents

Book of exodus Dedicated by Steve & Abbie Davis in honor of their son Adam Weinberg

Book of Leviticus Dedicated in loving memory of Ze’ev Aryeh Glick (Rabbi’s nephew)

Book of numBers Dedicated by Monti Bachikoff

Book of deuteronomy Dedicated by Dr. Rueven & Dasi Brent in honor of their parents and Ceil Moyerman

CHoSHEn MiSHpAT-SilvER BREASTplATE

Dedicated by Jerry & Gayle Zingerman in honor of their children and grandchildren

nER TAMiD – ETERnAl lAMp

Dedicated by Harry Samuels in honor of his parents

EiTz CHAiM- Two wooDEn ToRAH RollERS

One dedicated by Robert & Luisa Goldman in honor of their childrenSecond dedicated by Alan & Dori Zingmond in honor of their children

YAD- ToRAH poinTER

Dedicated by Dr. Alex & Julia Gaukhman in loving memory of his father

SpECiAl ToRAH SElECTionS:chazak—Three final verses of one of the 5 booksone chazak: Dedicated by Emilia Shevgart. one chazak: Dedicated by David & Paulette Krasnoff in honor of their childrenone chazak: Dedicated by Roberta Somach in loving memory of Dr. Fred Somach

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Birchat yakov- Jacob blessing to his children Dedicated by Andrew & Melanie McGill in honor of their children

shirat miriam- Song of Miriam Dedicated by Judy Sokal

vayehi Binsoa—Prayer at the ark opening Dedicated by Inge Guggenheimer in loving memory of her parents

Birkat kohanim—Priestly blessing Dedicated by Myron & Ronnie Storch in loving memory of his father

shema yisraeL Prayer Dedicated by Zmira & James Cohen THE ToRAH poRTionS (pARSHA oF THE wEEk) Naomi & Nissim BarrocasSteve & Beth CampbellShelley GelpkeGene GelpkeToby SchierChaya PereraRoss Brodzasnky

Efraim & Lana UsherenkoGittel & Robie RosenstockDave RubinDan & Shellie RubinRenee DonigerNissim & Clara ZysmanJay & Karen Klempner

Mitch & Carrie GoldmanClay ShaftonTimothy & Deborah EffremAnna & Lazer KaplunVlad & Lana Yanovitzky

A vERSE in THE ToRAHChazan Rick & Mary BerlinRainer & Renee Van PaschenDr. Scott & Lilya Meisel

Anna Diganit RabatinJoseph & Carol ZarnoffJudy Steiner

Dr. Fred & Flora Tow

A woRD in THE ToRAH David & Devorah ChaikinShirley GloverRegina HalpernDavid & Sandy FieldVlad & Rachel Gorodisher

Gregory & Deborah PatlakBoris & Bella RubinHoward KlempnerArthur & Sheila FoxDr. Fran & Izzy Sterling

Joe NewmanLynn BrockEmil & Mary DudkoMiriam KotlerSam & Maya Popovetzky

A lETTER in THE ToRAH Susan DinerBoris & Maya TayterJanice BrodskyMary DullingerBarbara FoxNathan HollanderAlbert and Jaklin KeriJoel KovacsSharyn LonsdaleStephen Miller

Rex & Deborah MoscovitzCeil MoyermanMaria MurphyNorman Samuels.Laurie Vodnoy-WrightFrank and Greta VorlicekSusan CampbellLynn BernsteinNancy Rosen

Ruth CarterYefim & Faina StekolMichelle & Eric BarrettCharles & Helga MelmedRuth GubermanRose & Joe EspositoPhyllis BalmatBruce & Mandy Capsuto

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Torah Award DAviD SCHlESingER

When David Schlesinger walked into a Yeshiva in Queens, New York- he wasn’t expecting 20 year old, Rabbi Sholom Schmerling to welcome him. Through a series of

events and Divine providence, David and the Rabbi became close friends. For many years, they learned Torah together, and kept up their friendship when the Rabbi moved to

Florida.

David is a special person, a true and humble servant of Hashem. His love for Torah and Yiddishkeit is exemplified through his actions. As a display of gratitude to G-d for all that his has been granted in his life, David started the “Venice Torah Campaign” and

committed to initiate the purchase of a new Torah scroll.

David is a man of his words, and he continues to be a source of inspiration to the Rabbi and his family.

Mazal Tov to David! Rabbi Heller, Yeshivas Menachem, Staten Island, NY

Mazal Tov David- may you go from strength to strength! Rabbi Chaim & Mushka Zaklos

David, Rabbi & Robert Goldman at the Rebbe’s resting place

Mazal Tov David- you are an inspiration and a special friend! Rabbi Sholom & Rivka Schmerling

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Torah Award DAn & SHElliE RuBin

Dan & Shellie Rubin raised their beautiful children, Aaryn and Nathan, in Columbus, Ohio. They were extremely active in their Synagogue in Columbus, and very instrumental

in the renovations of the building.

When they moved to Florida, they immediately became strong pillars of Chabad of Venice. They adopted Chabad, like their own family. Both educators and truly devoted

to the education of our children in the public school system, they braught their expertise and knowledge to the children of Chabad.

Shellie is a proud grandmother to Dovy, Moshe & Hanna, and portrays her love to all those around her. She volunteers with her heart and soul, and gives hours of her personal

time, amongst her busy schedule, to do whatever needs to be done at Chabad.

Dan is very committed to the Shul, by sharing his weekly insights and overview on the Torah Portion, as well as his beautiful rendition of the Musaf prayer. He is a living

example to all those around him.

Mazel Tov to an outstanding couple and most deserving honorees, Shellie and Daniel Rubin. May Hashem bless you and your children and grandchildren with much nachas and good health.

Nathan Hollander

Mazel Tov to Shellie and Dan Rubin!

Love The Salutsky Family and Smadar and Steven

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Mazel tov on this well deserved honor!

Love Aaryn, Ephraim, Moshe, Dovy and

Hannah, Nathan and Arielle

Mazal Tov Rex Marcus & Debura

Moskowitz

Mazel tov and Congratulations to Dan & Shellie!

Arthur and Sheila Fox

Mazal Tov in honor of the Glazer Rubin friendship

Michael Glazer

Congratulations to Dan and Shellie Rubin

Janice Brodsky

Mazal Tov Bruce Gartner

Mazal Tov Barbara Flox

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Torah Award STEvE & ABBiE DAviS

In the years since Chabad’s inception, Steve & Abbie Davis have been strong supporters of Chabad’s work as well as active participants of the educational and holiday programs.

They are a couple that embodies true Jewish values, spirit and warmth, which serve as an inspiration for our community.

Steve’s constant concern over the security at Chabad is a wonderful blessing. With his contagious smile, he will always go out of his way to make sure we are safe.

Abbie is a proud mother to her son, Adam. She is a real person, who will go the extra mile for anyone, always reaching out to newcomers and making them feel welcome. She serves

as a Hebrew School volunteer and is beloved by all, adults and children alike.

We are honored to have the Davis’s in our community and are blessed by their kindness and friendship.

Abbie and Steve, so happy to be supporting you in this wonderful endeavor. Our thoughts

will be with you on February 16th with the dedication of the first torah scroll.

Your friends Natalie and Larry Budnick

Generous people forget what they give, what they receive grows exponentially. Thank you

Abbie and Steve for all that you’ve given. Lynn Brock

Congratulations Abbie & Steve!

Howard Klempner

Congratulation! Barry & Donna Wolfson

Mazel tov and Congratulations to Steve & Abbie!

-Arthur and Sheila Fox

Mazel tov to you both.Harold Rosen & Nancy Rosen

Mazel Tov to Abbie and Steve!

Jay Klempner

Congratulations! Madeline Kestenbaum

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Song Lyrics i wAS MADE wAY BACk in 1842

I was made way back in 1842By a humble man a real G-d fearing Jew,Who did his work with honesty,feeling and with pride,He was known in Kiev as Yankele the Scribe.With loving care, his hand so sure and stillHe formed me with some parchment,ink and quill.

Each day he’d slowly add to mejust a few more linesWith words to last until the end of time.And on the day that I was finally completeThe whole town came and filledthe narrow street.And they sang and danced and held me high and carried me awayTo the little wooden shul where I would stay.

And as the Rabbi held me closeagainst his chestHe spoke out loud and clear to all the rest.He said no matter if you’re very youngor even if you’re old,Live by the words you’ll find inside this scroll.Three days a week they read from me out loudIt filled my soul with joy, it made me proud,They followed each and every versewith fire in their eyes

The words that told them how to live their lives.I watched the generations come and goI saw the old men die, their children grow,But never in a century did I miss my turn once,For the fathers they had left me with their sons.

But the hatred from the west came to KievAnd they rounded up the Jews that had not fled,

But Moishele the Shammosh, he was braveand he was boldHe hid me in the cellar dark and cold.And for years and years I waited all aloneFor the people of my town to take me home,So they’d sing and dance and hold me high when they carried me away

To my little wooden shul where I would stay.But it was someone else whofound my hiding place,And to America they sent me in a crateAnd the men who took me off the boatthey said I was a prizeBut they were Jews I did not recognize.And in a case of glass they put me on display

Where visitors would look at me and say,“How very nice, how beautiful,a stunning work of art,”But they knew not what was inside my heart.And across the room I saw upon the shelf,Some old friends of mine wholived back in Kiev,A silver pair of candlesticksa menorah made of brass,We’d all become mere echoes of the past.

So if you hear my voicewhy don’t you come along,And take me to the place where I belong,And maybe even sing and dancewhen you carry me awayTo the little wooden shul where I would stay.

And as the Rabbi holds me closeagainst his chest,He’ll speak out loud and clear to all the restHe’ll say no matter if you’re very youngor even if you’re old,Live by the words you’ll find inside this scrollLive by the words you’ll find inside… my soul

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lETTER oF pREviouS luBAviTCHER REBBE ConCERning THE oRDER oF BRinging in

A SEFER ToRAH To THE SYnAgoguE

FREE TRANSLATION

By the Grace of G-d

20th of MarCheshvan, 5702 Brooklyn, New York

Peace and Blessing!

In answer to your letter concerning the purchase of the Sefer Torah; and which, G d willing, you are making ready to soon complete and bring to the synagogue; I hereby bless you with the blessing of Mazal Tov upon the fulfillment of the commandment “He wrote for himself,” as explained in Shulchan Aruch. It is expounded in various books of homiletics, and at greater length in the books of the greatest of the Sefardic sages of blessed memory, the greatness of fulfilling this mitzvah. They praise, admire, and hold holy every action and minutest detail of honor at the time of the writing of a Sefer Torah, at the time of its completion, and at the time of its being brought to the synagogue with a multitude of people and great fanfare, with a canopy and lit candles, with song and musical instruments, [the people] clothed in Yom Tov garments, and in open joy with dance and the recital of Psalms. One must do all possible that every Jew, men and women and particularly children, have the merit to kiss the Sefer Torahs mantle at the time the Sefer Torah is being carried to the synagogue. It is a segulah for health and long life.

There were those who brought their children still in the cradle to a position on the processional path of the Sefer Torah, so to merit to place the Sefer Torahs mantle on the child’s face.

There were those who, at the time of the sewing of the mantles and sashes for the Sefer Torah, would endeavor to acquire more material than needed. Before the sewing, they would cut small pieces from the extra material which does not possess any sanctity of ritual objects, only beautification and honor of ritual objects and when one of the children would kiss the Sefer Torah, the parents would purchase a small piece of the above material as a protection for the child, with pure faith in the segulah hidden and concealed in beautification of a mitzvah.

The accepted custom in our country is that a few days before the completion of the Sefer Torah and the bringing of it to the synagogue, announcements are made in all the synagogues of the city that: on such and such a day, there will be G d willing, a completion of the Sefer Torah and the bringing of it to the synagogue; and all congregants are invited to come to give honor to the Torah when it is being carried to the synagogue. (That is, also those who for some reason, as is customary among householders in matters of honor and the like or jealousy and hate, do not wish to come to participate in the completion of the Sefer. But carrying the Sefer and bringing it to the synagogue is a general matter in which all should participate for the sake of honor of the Torah.)

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That day was a holiday on which tachnun was not said, and all the inhabitants of the city would prepare for the celebration in honor of the Torah. Chassidim and men of deeds immersed themselves in the mikvah prior to prayer, and during prayer candles were burning in the synagogue.

After finishing the order of the completion with the sewing of the parchment, the mantle, and the sash, and the initiation of the Sefer Torah with a reading the celebration of the procession began. The celebrant [i.e. he whose Sefer Torah it was] and his household would form up around the Sefer Torah, stand under the canopy, and sing; the onlookers would bless them with blessings of Mazal Tov. The celebrant would carry the Sefer Torah from his house for a number of steps, and stop. Then all the honors given out in the carrying of the Sefer Torah would begin. They would announce that so and so should stand forth for the honor of the Torah, and he would carry it for a few steps. Then a second person would be honored, and a third, until they would come to the synagogue. A few steps before the synagogue, the celebrant would again be given the honor of carrying the Sefer Torah. His family would form a guard of honor around him, and they would bring the Sefer Torah into the synagogue.

When they were preparing to enter the synagogue, the gabbai (warden) of the synagogue, his deputies, and the cantor of the synagogue, would open the ark and take out the Sifrei Torah. Before the ark was opened, the cantor would say Sifrei Torah, you are requested by all the holy community, the congregants of the synagogue, to trouble yourself and to go welcome the Sefer Torah which so and so has merited to write and to bring in to this synagogue in a good and successful hour. Then they would take the Sifrei Torah and stand in two rows. The celebrant and his family would come with the new Sefer Torah and pass between the two rows, and announce the verses of Ato Horaysa as on Simchas Torah. When the verses were completed, seven hakofos [circling of the bimah] were made, and during each hakofoh they would dance with the Sefer Torah as on Simchas Torah. When the seventh hakofoh ended, they said Rejoice and exult in the rejoicing of the Torah, and while saying this passage an eighth hakofah was made to distinguish between the hakofos of Simchas Torah proper and these of rejoicing on bringing in the Sefer Torah. Then Yehallelu was said, all the Sifrei Torah were put into the sanctuary, and Oleinu and Mourners Kaddish was said. Then they would celebrate with a festive meal in honor of the mitzvah, and talk words of Torah, and words of inspiration to set fixed times for [study of] Torah, dissemination of Torah with the awe of Heaven, and strengthening of those who learn Torah.

Although you wrote that you did not [initially] contemplate making any fanfare of this, your decision to accede to the will of those around you pleased me greatly for with this the public is given the merit of honoring the Torah and holding dear that which is sacred.

Even external honor of the Torah with great beauty and a multitude of people is capable of arousing the feelings of the soul, as is usual in all matters of beauty and splendid glory. Besides this, glory and honor of the Torah arouse the spark of Jewishness that is within each Jew, male and female. This arousal is very precious in itself, and it is liable to be the cause and reason for an arousal of repentance to abandon the wicked way and to choose the ways of Torah and mitzvos.

“...After a child kissed the Sefer Torah, the parents would purchase

a small piece of the material used for its mantle or sash as a protection for the child.

This they did with pure faith in the segulah concealed within the act of beautifying a mitzvah.”

(Previous Lubavticher Rebbe,Rabbi Yosef I. Schneersohn g”b)

In light of the above, we present you a piece of the material used for the mantle and sash of the Sefer

Torah. May it bring you and your family much success and happiness.

Chabad of venice & north port

2169 S. Tamiami Trail.venice, Fl 34293

941-493-2770www.chabadofvenice.com

Community Torah