Community Corner
Chabad of Brandon To Mark Torah Scroll Scribed in Memory of Student
Chabad of Brandon commissioned a Torah re-creation in memory of Nosson Deitsch, who died at age 21 in a jet-ski accident. The Torah scroll arrives Feb. 12 and Jews of all backgrounds and affiliations are invited to attend the festivities.
For a year, scribes armed with only quill pens and a specially mixed ink have been busy re-creating the more than 300,000 handwritten letters that make up the Torah scroll for .
Now, with the completion of the work featuring the five books of Moses on 54 pieces of parchment, Chabad of Brandon is preparing to celebrate and welcome the Torah to its new home at the Chabad of Brandon Jewish Center.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The celebration will take place at the Chabad Jewish Center on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. The center is at 3005 Waylon Lane.
An expert scribe will travel to Brandon to complete the Torah scroll. Following its completion, the Torah will be paraded through the streets of Brandon on its way to the Chabad Jewish Center celebration, which will include dancing followed by a festive meal, according to Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Guests will have the opportunity to use an authentic quill to write their names in Hebrew guided by the scribe.
Rubashkin, the director of Chabad of Brandon, said the celebration marks not only the culmination of the Torah but pays tribute to the efforts of the chabad members who raised the funds to commission the Torah.
Members agreed to raise the $35,000 for their own Torah in memory of Nosson Deitsch, 21, a rabbinical student who was killed in a jet ski accident in May 2009 when he came to Brandon to assist at Chabad of Brandon during the Jewish Lag B'omer celebration.
In the Jewish faith, it's traditional to bring something good from tragedy, said Rubashkin.
"“Even though Nosson was only here for a few days, he made a strong impact on our community," said Rubashkin. "We were looking for a fitting memorial and so, at an event in his honor 30 days after his passing, we launched the campaign to raise the funds needed to write a Torah in his memory.
Formed in 2004, Chabad of Brandon has been using a loaned Torah for its Saturday services.
The Feb. 12 celebration is open to all Jews regardless of affiliation or background, and no membership is required. Call: 813-657-9393.
(For more on this story, read the .)
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
