Communal Milestones

Jewish communities gather to celebrate in times of joy and to comfort each other in times of sorrow. Occasionally, the community itself has a milestone to mark. It might acquire a new TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes “Torah” is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general. scroll, elect new board members, or reach a significant anniversary. All of these events provide opportunities to come together to honor our bonds with each other and acknowledge a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.