The Cheder Community Torah lives in our homes. Literally. Passing to different homes for over 30 years, when your child is due for their bar or bat mitzvah, the Torah will come to live in your home too. This is a special and unique benefit to our homespun model of progressive Judaism. And your child gets "extra" Torah practice time, which is no small thing!
The Cheder Community Torah has a unique story. It was originally purchased some 30 years ago by founding Community members Susan Roemer and Jerry Silverman. They drove to New York to make the purchase. Sue picked out the one she liked, which we think was crafted from several different Torahs from eastern Europe. The next day they returned to pick up the Torah and drive it back to Maryland, but when they opened it they realized that it was the wrong Torah and that the seller switched it on them. Susan gave the man a piece of her mind and he admitted that he had made a mistake. So Susan’s husband Peter drove back to New York to pick it up. In the words of Peter and Susan’s daughter Deborah, “this is a wanted Torah, a needed Torah, and a loved Torah.”
For the past three decades the Torah has been lovingly housed by Cheder families in the weeks leading up to the Bnei Mitzvah. The Cheder Torah leads a nomadic life, cared for by Cheder members.
[With thanks to Deborah Roemer for sharing this special history.]
The Cheder Community Torah has a unique story. It was originally purchased some 30 years ago by founding Community members Susan Roemer and Jerry Silverman. They drove to New York to make the purchase. Sue picked out the one she liked, which we think was crafted from several different Torahs from eastern Europe. The next day they returned to pick up the Torah and drive it back to Maryland, but when they opened it they realized that it was the wrong Torah and that the seller switched it on them. Susan gave the man a piece of her mind and he admitted that he had made a mistake. So Susan’s husband Peter drove back to New York to pick it up. In the words of Peter and Susan’s daughter Deborah, “this is a wanted Torah, a needed Torah, and a loved Torah.”
For the past three decades the Torah has been lovingly housed by Cheder families in the weeks leading up to the Bnei Mitzvah. The Cheder Torah leads a nomadic life, cared for by Cheder members.
[With thanks to Deborah Roemer for sharing this special history.]