Wellington Torah Scroll

Shalom.

The Wellington Hebrew Congregation (the predecessor of the Wellington Jewish Community Centre) held its first service in the summer of 1843. Since then we have accumulated nearly 20 sifrei Torah. Some were brought to New Zealand by refugees and survivors of the Shoah. Others were sent to Wellington from the now defunct communities of Nelson, Palmerston North, Hastings. Dunedin, Hokitika and Timaru. Most are at least 100 years old. Of these scrolls only a few are currently in use and these require costly repairs from time to time.

We intend to acquire for Wellington it's very first new Sefer Torah and we would like to give you the opportunity to play a part in this reaching this ambitious goal.

We appeal to residents and expatriates now residing abroad to assist in this endeavour. We propose to raise funds for this project by giving donors the opportunity to acquire a part of this sacred scroll.

Participants can thus memorialize deceased parents and ancestors or honour family members and loved ones by dedicating a section of the new Torah to them.

These dedications will be recorded in a special book which will be affixed to the mantle of the scroll.

Your donation can dedicate the writing of an entire book (e.g. Genesis, Exodus etc.), a Sedra (e.g. your bar mitzvah portion), a column, a highlight (e.g. the 10 Commandments), a verse or even a single letter.

I am Martin Chait. This project is my final service to the community due to terminal cancer. Please give this request your immediate attention. The fulfilment of this cherished dream of a new Torah, will reward several years of endeavours.

I hope you will be part of this ancient tradition of Tzedaka, your Mitzvah of giving. Together we can supply an old community with a new sefer Torah, a gift of life.