Temple Emanu-El turned 150 on August 5, 2011. Such an historic event deserves a gift that will last for the next 150 years and beyond. For this occasion, we are introducing Torah L’Dor V’Dor – a Torah from Generation to Generation. During our 150th year and beyond we will write a Torah with Sofer Yerman. You can be a part of Torah L’Dor V’Dor. Writing a Torah fulfills the 613th commandment, “And now write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel,” and gives you a once-in-a-lifetime mitzvah opportunity. It is our hope, that through Torah L’Dor V’Dor, we will engage the entire temple community in the Mitzvah of creating our Torah and an endowment fund which will ensure the continuation of Temple Emanu-El for generations to come. Torah L’Dor V’Dor will become our 2011 legacy honoring the 150th anniversary.

About Torah writing – a personal experience
When I wrote my letter, I felt a connection with the hundreds of generations of Jews who came before me, who had preserved these words at great cost so that Judaism would be alive today. I could see myself transported back to the Middle Ages, to the Islamic Golden Age, and to the Roman era, holding the same kind of quill, using the same kind of ink, touching the same type of parchment that was used in those times. The letter seemed to come to life as I inked in the color. A Torah scroll can last for hundreds of years if well cared-for. In fact, the sofer told us that the parchment on unused Torahs becomes brittle and will break easily when unrolled, while Torahs that are used regularly remain strong and supple because the oils are re-distributed through the parchment. Writing a Torah letter linked me to the past. Reading Torah regularly will keep it alive for future generations. -Maggie Cant, Ritual Committee Chair

Sponsorships

Jewish Tradition teaches us that writing even a single letter is to be considered as though writing a complete Torah. Since each letter of the Torah must be perfectly inscribed, the way you will write the letter will be hand on hand with Sofer Yerman. (Please note that the section of the Torah you will write depends on where the Sofer is in the Torah writing.) Sponsor online by clicking here

Family Sponsor Categories***
(***- all family members write a letter in the Torah)

Individual Sponsor Categories (by age)

How to make your sponsorship

There are several ways:

• Call the Temple Office at 408 292 0939
• Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Sponsor online by clicking here

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. How can a family participate in Torah L'Dor V'Dor?
A. There are many ways. Members of your family, of all ages can volunteer on one of the committees for the project or help manage the writing process on the days that actual writing will take place. You can also sponsor portions of the Torah by making a pledge to the Temple. You can sit with the Sofer, who is the Torah scribe, and write a letter in the Torah. Finally, you can participate in any of the many learning activities that will take place throughout the year.

Q. Must we sponsor part of the Torah in order to be able to write a letter in the Torah?
A. Yes*, you must make a sponsorship to participate in writing the Torah (*-please contact the office for hardship exception).

Q. Where will the funds go?
A. To seed an endowment fund. Please click here for more information on the Endowment Committee and its plans.

Q. How much time will the Sofer be with our congregation?
A. Approximately ten days throughout the year. There will many learning programs during the project, both with and without the Sofer. Please watch for future communications via emails and in Connections for the Torah L’Dor V’Dor program opportunities. The schedule for writing is listed below.

Schedule for SUNDAY MARCH 25 - each group has the capacity for 25 writers

Schedule for MONDAY MARCH 26 - each group has the capacity for 25 writers

Schedule for TUESDAY MARCH 27 - each group has the capacity for 25 writers

After sponsoring, please contact the Temple Office to confirm your time.

Q. Will the entire Torah be written by our congregation?
A. No. Most of the Torah will be written by Sofer Neil Yerman. Neil Yerman and members of our congregation will write a letter in certain sections; for example we could write the first three columns of Genesis, the last four columns of Deuteronomy, the Ten Commandments and the Shema and V’ahavta.

Q. Is there a dress code for the writing?
A. Yes, the Rabbi and Sofer request that when writing in the Torah you dress in proper Bimah dress which is described as a nice, collared shirt and slacks for men, and a nice shirt that covers the shoulders and skirts or slacks or a dress for women. No shorts please.

Q. Is photography allowed?
A. No we want this to be a spiritual experience for all and each individual or family taking pictures will detract from the purpose. We will have volunteer take group pictures, but no individual pictures will be allowed on the Bimah.

Q. How much can we write and can we choose what we will write?
A. Each person can write one letter, and what each of us writes will depend on where the Sofer is in the Torah writing.

Q. I want to volunteer, but I don't know anything about the Torah?
A. You don’t need to know about the Torah to volunteer. We will learn together. We need people to plan events and handle such matters as administration, marketing and publicity. To help, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Q. What will the money that is raised, above the direct costs for the Torah, be used for?
A. Money beyond the costs of the Torah writing will go into the Temple Emanu-El Endowment Fund. Once the Endowment is funded at an appropriate level, returns from the fund will be used to support the Temple. This means that your sponsorships will be a legacy that support future generations of our congregation.

About Sofer Neil Yerman
Sofer and artist Neil H. Yerman grew up in Brooklyn, New York. After a career in the brokerage industry and in advertising, he converted his lifetime avocation as an artist into a full-time career in 1984, specializing in works that combine calligraphy and art. A unique feature of Sofer Yerman’s work is the educational experience he offers to the communities with which he works. A Master Teacher who is comfortable working with people of all ages, and of all faiths, Sofer Yerman’s educational focus is to foster a love for both the physical Torah and for the letters of wisdom it contains. He is skilled in the art of Gematria (Jewish numerology) and uses this technique and its Kabbalistic underpinnings, when appropriate, to open up new worlds of meaning and understanding of the Torah, Jewish life, Jewish living, and the universal concepts of peace, justice, and tikkun olam—the healing of the world. An accomplished clarinetist, he often uses music as a teaching tool as well. His website is www.neilyerman.com.