By Elliot B. Karp

The role of a Jewish Federation CEO is varied and multifaceted as we work with many community members in an effort to be responsive to Jewish needs locally, nationally, globally and in Israel.  Our work oftentimes begins with a simple phone call looking for help, assistance and support.  This story started as a simple inquiry but soon became a complex international effort.

Way back in 2012 I received a call from a major donor who asked, “Is it possible that a Masoriti School in Jerusalem did not have a Sefer Torah?”  I assured the donor that I did not think it was possible that the school did not have a Sefer Torah given the commitments of the Masoriti Movement.  “No, of course they have a Sefer Torah,” said the donor.  “They just don’t own their own and I want your help to get one for them!”

Knowing the donor well I responded that was certainly possible and that I was happy to help them buy a Sefer Torah for the school and asked “how much would you like to spend on a Torah?”  “No, no…I don’t want to buy a Sefer Torah.  I want you to find one to send to them,” said the donor.  Once again, knowing the donor well and their intentions I knew that I was now being tasked with a new project to secure a donated Sefer Torah for the Masoriti school.  Game on!

After hanging up the telephone I began to think how was I going to find a Sefer Torah that was no longer needed and which could be donated to the school in Jerusalem.  I recalled David Sarnat, a professional colleague who had retired as the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, was helping synagogues going “out of business” to consolidate their assets in order to establish endowment funds that would support their cemeteries and become a possible source of perpetual funding for other Jewish organizations.

With one call to David I learned about the Jewish Community Legacy Project (JCLP) and their important Mitzvah work.  David’s response to my inquiry was quick.  “Sure, give me a few days and let me see what I can find.”  Within a day or two David called back.  “There is a small congregation in Niagara Falls, New York that is shutting down.  Call the congregational president, Dr. Ludwig, and see if he has a Sefer Torah.”

Dr. Ludwig answered my call on the first ring and told me right away, “I have one Sefer Torah left.  Call Jimmy at the FedEx store in Niagara Falls.  He’s waiting for your call.”  Somewhat stunned I call Jimmy who said, “Sure, we have the Torah.  Dr. Ludwig told me to expect your call.  What address do you want me to have the Torah shipped to?”

Now I was really stunned but not as much as two days later when a FedEx truck delivered a large four-foot long carton at our Jewish Federation offices.  Inside was a rather large Sefer Torah!  My first reaction was to check to make sure the Torah scroll was Kosher so that it could be used.  I enlisted the assistance of one of our local Conservative Rabbis who inspected the Sefer Torah and indeed found it to be in remarkably good shape.

The next challenge was to have the Sefer Torah shipped to the Masoriti School in Jerusalem.  Not wanting to incur the cost of shipping and taking the risk that the Torah would be lost or damaged I asked another community leader and donor to our Jewish Federation to bring the scroll on their private jet the next time they visited Israel.  These Shomrim Israel, Guardians of Israel, eagerly agree and in fact the Sefer Torah accompanied them on a flight to Ben Gurion.  The aircraft crew even constructed a “make shift” Aron Kodesh so that the Sefer Torah did not have to be placed on a luggage rack in the hold of the aircraft.

I enlisted the assistance of a very dear friend in Israel who met the aircraft and Sefer Torah upon arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.  My friend was given security clearance to meet the Torah planeside on the tarmac at the airport as if the scroll was a visiting head of state.  He transported the Torah personally to the Masoriti School in Jerusalem where it was warmly received the students, faculty and staff of the school with a parade under a Tallit and placed in the school’s Ark.

Over many years the Jewish Community Legacy Project has worked tirelessly to assist many congregations across the country.  No doubt they have found new homes for countless numbers of Sifrei Torah and other sacred ritual objects and books.  However, I am quite certain that the story of the Sefer Torah from a small shul in Niagara Falls, New York to a Masoriti School in Jerusalem Israel is unique; and one which I was proud to help facilitate thanks to the extraordinary work of JCLP.

Elliot B. Karp, is the former President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.  He has proudly served the Amcha, the Jewish community and Israel in professional leadership position for more than 45 years.