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TUJ Torah scroll history
At the TUJ Trustees meeting on November 11, 1999, then Rabbi Chuck
Lippman announced that a Torah scroll and ritual accessories were
being donated by his cousins Michael and Linda Lapat (of Coral Springs,
FL) and the cousins' business partner Mark Epstein (of Chicago).
This late 19th century scroll probably a Polish orphan
was found by Rabbi Lippman, Alan Frank and Scribe Neil Yerman on
the Lower East Side of New York City. It was cleaned and restored
by the scribe.
The breastplate and crowns are Austrian silver with gold highlights.
The pointer, and the Sabbath mantle and High Holy Days white mantle
which are embroidered with Lapat and Epstein names
were also funded by Lapat and Epstein.
Tim Schwab, Lapat and Epstein's carpenter, built the ark on site
(he had also done previous work for PACC). It, too, was funded by
Lapat and Epstein.
The Torah and ark were dedicated September 22, 2000.
In 2006, Scribe Neil Yerman repaired and re-restored the Torah as
needed. The Lapats underwrote this work as well.
In 2007, Bill Weber added knobs to the doors of the ark so they
could be opened more easily.
A fund has been established for a higher level of repair in the
future. Donations are appreciated and will be acknowledged.
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