A Torah from Montana Finds a New Home in Texas
When Jack Wallace was called to the Torah during his bar mitzvah on October 2 in Texas Hill Country, the spirit of generations of a historic Jewish congregation in Montana stood with him.
Jack chanted from a Torah that had just been transferred from Congregation B’nai Israel, in Butte, Montana, to Camp Young Judaea Texas.
The journey of this sacred scroll from one community to another is an example of the worldwide connections JCLP has fostered between congregations that have reached the moment when they need to find new homes for their Torahs and organizations longing to be the beneficiaries of such kindness.
To date, JCLP has facilitated connections for more than 50 Sifrei Torah from Legacy congregations to new homes around the world. Those connections are often the result of longstanding relationships.
Adina Frydman, CEO of Young Judaea Global, worked with Noah Levine and David Sarnat in her previous job at UJA-Federation NY, where she was key in JCLP’s efforts on behalf of three synagogues in that region. JCLP provides planning resources and counsel to small congregations all over the country.
As soon as Adina joined Young Judaea, Noah and David let her know that Jewish camps were frequent recipients of Torahs from JCLP congregations. Through Adina, they connected Camp Young Judaea Texas which, until this summer had never had its own Torah, and Congregation B’nai Israel.
Through Adina, they connected Camp Young Judaea Texas which, until this summer had never had its own Torah, and Congregation B’nai Israel.
The mining town of Butte supported a robust Jewish life at the beginning of the 20th century. Its first mayor was Jewish and there were two Orthodox synagogues in addition to B’nai Israel, a Reform congregation which first organized in 1897. Its ornate 1904 building is listed in the National Registry of Historic Landmarks. When the Jewish population in Butte declined, the other synagogues merged into B’nai Israel, blessing the congregation with several of the precious scrolls.
Today, few Jews remain in Butte.
As noted in an article last spring in the Montana Standard, JCLP encouraged the remaining members of B’nai Israel to look to the future. A feasibility study supported by a group of Montana non-profits is now underway to determine the best use for the congregation’s building. In the meantime, the congregation wanted to share its wealth of Torahs.
JCLP made a match for one, and CYJ Texas acknowledged the arrival of its very own Torah with a video.
“We were motivated by the idea of seeing one of our Torahs used by an appreciative community,” said stalwart B’nai Israel member Dave Canty. “It thrilled us to see the excitement with which the campers embraced our gift and the legacy of our congregation.”
Both past and future came together with this kind gesture.
“For years to come, this Torah will be used to educate future generations of Jewish children and to be part of their bar/bat mitzvah and other lifecycle celebrations,” says Adina Frydman. “Young Judaea is deeply grateful to JCLP for creating this sacred shidduch.”
Jack Wallace’s bar mitzvah was just the first.
Passing traditions from generation to generation is a tenet of Judaism. When family and friends from around the country gathered for Shabbat services at CYJ Texas on a beautiful fall day, they heard the cantor talk about how those assembled to celebrate Jack’s bar mitzvah were witnessing the beginning of a new life for the Torah from Butte.
Even the very day seemed to acknowledge a point in time when this sacred scroll would be cherished by a new generation. Jack’s Torah portion happened to be Beresheet— “In the Beginning…”
And all the kids thought that was cool.
Photo: Ira Rozen Photography
October 14, 2021