On Thursday we had the honor of hosting Rabbi Yehuda Alon, a Sofer-scribe who is visiting from Israel. Rabbi Yehuda travels the world connecting different communities under one shared theme – the Jewish Torah scroll. This Sefer Torah is in memory of Ofir Libstein z”l, and will be kept in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

Mr. Kreizel Jewish Studies Teacher

Aline, Grade 9: This week I had the chance to experience something truly special - meeting the Torah scribe Rabbi Yehudah Alon, who is writing a Torah made up of thousands of people, each adding a single letter. The Torah will be kept in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the kibbutzim affected by October 7th, which makes it even more meaningful.

My letter was ם, and after writing it, I received a certificate to remember the moment. Seeing the precision, patience, and beauty in the scribe’s work really struck me. I had always imagined writing a Torah as something simple or routine, but witnessing the skill, care, and dedication it requires made me realize how sacred and detailed the process truly is.

If I were to share this with a friend, I would tell them that even writing one letter feels powerful; it connects us to something ancient, shared, and deeply spiritual. It’s a reminder that every small act can be part of something much bigger.

To me, the Torah symbolizes unity, wisdom, and the strength of tradition. This experience helped me see that the Torah isn’t just a book of laws or stories; it’s a living symbol of our people’s perseverance and faith, especially now, as this Torah will bring comfort and hope to a community rebuilding after tragedy.