THE STORY
We are eagerly anticipating the new Har Mishpacha Torah, so generously given to us by the Liman family as a gift to the community that will last for generations. Many volunteers are coming together to create an unforgettable experience for the letter writing experiences in August and September.
Our new Torah for our mountain family goes beyond a physical Torah. For generations to come, the Torah offers us the ability to connect to our ancestors, our history, and the future of Judaism. Torah honors the traditions of our culture and religion, and binds us together through stories and love. Torah helps us set our moral compass and live by Jewish values. These are the words of our members from our recent planning survey.
As we move in and out of years, telling and retelling the stories, learning and teaching, we will celebrate each other’s simchas and watch the children in our community grow and learn to read from the Torah and make their own meaning and memories from the stories and rituals. L’dor V’dor.
You can rewatch the meaningful April 12th launch of our Torah journey service here: https://fb.watch/sWH48KY09R/.
The journey
This special Torah’s physical journey began in Israel, but its neshama (soul) was born from the generosity of the Limans. Har Mishpacha members will complete the last letters and place the scroll into its new ark at the Heart of Steamboat. When you attend one of events, you will travel through your own spiritual, educational, and celebratory journey with experiences designed to create a lifelong Jewish memory, and a deeper connection to Judaism and the Har Mishpacha community. This will culminate in reading from our new Torah at the High Holidays, but that’s really just the beginning.
To welcome our new Torah to Har Mishpacha, each member has the opportunity to fill in a letter, with a Sofer, or scribe, which will complete the last paragraphs. Writing a Torah is one of the most important mitzvot in the Jewish tradition.
Our Sofer will visit Steamboat on 4 separate days to allow for each family, couple or individual member to share this experience in small groups with family or with others in the community. You will learn about your unique letter and significance, and participate in educational and creative activities leading up to and following time with the scribe. You will meet with Rabbi Kolby and other volunteers, and have some time for reflection.
Torah dedications
Many stories in the Torah are memorable, yet speak to us in different ways. To some it’s the story or interpretation of the story, to others, the week’s Parsha may relate to something that happened in one’s life- a Simcha, e.g. a baby naming, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah portion, a wedding…or, sadly, the loss of a loved one who played an important part in one’s life. Participants in our Torah Journey have the opportunity to contribute to our community through dedications for the Torah, which included selected Torah stories and passages and well as physical items to house and beautify our new Torah, such as the ark, a Torah cover, and yad.
So why are we asking you to consider a Dedication if completing a letter is free? The simple answer is that the continued growth and sustainability of Har Mishpacha is our mission. We are in a strong financial position, with continued rapid growth. With our growth comes more and larger holiday and social events and expanded educational programs.
Har Mishpacha Board’s mission is to steer a strong and resilient congregation well into the future. Help Har Mishpacha on its way to accomplishing just that by strengthening our financial base, while connecting to our celebration and love of Torah. Many thanks for your consideration. Any and all Dedications will be greatly appreciated, but your participation in the Torah letter writing events as members of our community is of primary importance.