Cantor to Be Honored at Dedication of Restored Pre-Holocaust Torah

News from Temple Beth Israel of Port Washington:

Temple Beth Israel of Port Washington has restored a Torah written in Hungary over eighty years ago, and will dedicate it in honor of Cantor Baruch Blum and Mrs. Gerri Blum, celebrating 33 years of devoted service. The dedication ceremony at the Temple, planned for Sunday, June 6, will be followed by a reception.

The Torah, which traveled to South Africa and Israel before coming to Port Washington, has been meticulously restored by Sofer (Torah Scribe), Zerach Greenfield. To be ritually usable, Torahs must be hand-written by trained scribes in accordance with prescribed rules governing the design of the Hebrew letters, animal parchment, quill pens and hand- processed ink. One error, fraying of parchment, or the fading or blurring of a single letter renders the entire Torah unacceptable for religious use. This restoration will enable the Torah’s continuing its sacred role for current and future generations.

The Torah restoration project was planned as an expression of appreciation to Cantor and Mrs. Blum. A Hungarian Torah was chosen because the Cantor’s paternal heritage is Hungarian. Cantor Blum was born in Israel and came to New York to study music, dance and theatre arts. Famed choir director Oscar Julius inspired his interest in becoming a Cantor, and he studied under Zvi Aroni at the Manhattan School for Cantors, graduating in 1975. His spiritually uplifting, rich baritone voice leading prayer, his patient, kind, and expert training of bar and bat mitzvah students, as well as lay Torah readers, and his warmth and generosity of spirit in support of Temple needs have endeared him to the entire community.

Also a talented musician, Gerri Blum, who teaches both voice and piano, has generously contributed her skills and time to many special Temple services and activities over the years. She is an active member of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, the national parent organization of Conservative Temple Sisterhoods, where she currently holds the office of Regional Education Vice-President. The Blums have four children and twin grandsons.

The June 6th event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.; Temple Beth Israel is located on Temple Drive at the south end of Mackey and Haven Avenues. For further information please call the Temple office at 516-767-1708 ext. 9 or e-mail.