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Scott Crespy / Torah Story

Bringing A New Torah to Or Hadash

Scott Crespy

On one Thursday evening as I was reading committee reports in preparation for an Or Hadash Board Meeting, I noticed in the Spiritual Life Committee report that our synagogue would soon have only one Torah because it needed to return one that had been on loan. Shortly thereafter, I shared this problem with Rabbi Joshua Zlochower at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life in North Wales where we both work. I asked whether the Abramson Center had a Torah that was not in use that could potentially be loaned to Or Hadash.

Rabbi Zlochower immediately recognized the need for a synagogue to have more than one Torah. He said he would be very happy to discuss the possibility of a permanent loan with both Abramson administrators and members of the Abramson Religious Life Committee. After receiving support from both the Abramson CEO and COO, he asked to have the topic of lending a Torah to Or Hadash placed on the agenda of the very next Spiritual Life Board Meeting. I was so very happy to learn that the loan was approved.

Rabbi Zlochower then reached out to Rabbi Waxman to share the good news, and the rest is history. A wonderful ceremony was planned and celebrated with both children and families from Or Hadash and residents from the Abramson community. The thoughtful, decisive, and caring response by the Abramson Center to the needs of Or Hadash will always be appreciated and has already worked to solidify a strong relationship between the two communities. For me, I am profoundly grateful and honored to have played a role in bringing a Torah to Or Hadash, the community I love.