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.