Chabad of Cobb Celebrates their 2nd Torah Inauguration

MUCH LIKE THE JEWISH PEOPLE, NO ONE LETTER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANOTHER 

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

On Sun., May 4, Chabad of Cobb had the honor of celebrating their second Torah Inauguration within Cobb County. The community was in full attendance as friends, families, and members of the congregation gathered to witness the historic moment. In light of the ceremony the day was filled with numerous activities for both kids and adults. Various stations were set up for participants to create their very own Torah keychain, learn about all things related to the Torah, or have their name written by the Sofer himself.

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Dedicated in loving memory to Ruth Greenspon Smith and Carol Smith Holley, the ceremony commenced with a few words by Rabbi Ephraim Silverman explaining the Torah’s historical significance followed by a brief rendering of poems in remembrance of those who had passed. Young children were asked to gather around the Ark as the Sofer began transcribing the first section of the Sefer Torah. Meanwhile, parents, grandparents and friends peered over the Sefer’s shoulder with iPhones and cameras to capture the moment. Upon completion, the Torah will be returned to Chabad of Cobb where it will create an eternal bond between the Holy Land and East Cobb.

Referenced as the most illustrious and prized possession of the Jewish people, the Torah stands as the backbone of the Jewish nation and contains the laws, history, and foundation of the Jewish religion. One of the greatest mitzvah’s one can and should perform is to inscribe a Torah for themselves. However, since such a feat can be rather pricey, most individuals will either sponsor a section or participate within an inauguration.

I, myself, was no exception to the latter and as I stood there in awe of the joyous occasion, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my own family’s identity and tie to our religion. Growing up Jewish in Iran seldom offered my parents the opportunity to practice their religion freely. Rarely, in fact did synagogues sponsor a Torah let alone host an inauguration ceremony. Thus the occasion not only marked a historical date for Chabad of Cobb but for my family as well. In the Jewish tradition, no letter is more important than another, and as each is dependent upon the other for completion of the Torah, so too are all Jews within a community.