Congregation Beth Israel
PO Box 536, 22 North Orchard Street
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492
Bruce Alpert, Rabbinic Intern
Nancy Huber, Cantor
Beth Israel Hosts Historic Torah Restoration Event
Congregation Beth Israel in Wallingford, CT will host an historic educational and cultural
program on Sunday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m., in honor of its Torah restoration project.
The community is invited to observe, as Rabbi Saul Teitelbaum, a certified scribe from Monsey,
N.Y., carries out the ancient and sacred process of restoring Beth Israel’s 150 year-old Torah
scrolls. Coffee and dessert will be provided.
The synagogue is also inviting members of other faiths based on the five books of Moses, to
share in this milestone mitzvah.
"Restoring Beth Israel's four historic Torah scrolls is both a ritually and symbolically important
work,” said Bruce Alpert, Beth Israel’s spiritual leader.
“Ritually, it is the fulfillment of our obligation to the generations who built the Wallingford
Jewish Community to keep that community vital and true to our traditions. Symbolically it is a
sign of our rebirth – with our growing commitment to build a community responsive to who we
are today, and what we need to be tomorrow,” he said.
The Torah restoration project kicks off a months-long process that will culminate in an Open
House and Celebration at the end of the summer. Donors may sponsor all or part of a scroll
(such as a Book of Moses, a parsha, a verse, a word, or a letter). This will be a very meaningful
opportunity to honor a loved one or commemorate a special event.
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A small, historic, unaffiliated conservative congregation, Beth Israel, founded in 1901, is
undergoing a renaissance. A dedicated team of congregation members has been involved for
several years with the national STAR Synagogue initiative, injecting new energy and focus into
the congregation. Programming highlights the direction the Congregation is moving towards,
encompassing all the elements of Judaism – prayer, learning and gathering – into fun filled
events. For more information, please contact Alida Cella at 949-8656, or
alidacella@hotmail.com (ask her to put you on our synagogue mailing list). Information can
also be found on our new website, www.bethisraelwallingford.org. You can also follow our
updates at www.twitter.com/BethIsrael.
Congregation Beth Israel warmly welcomes
Jewish individuals & families, interfaith and non-traditional.