New Torah Scroll Commissioned

GLASTONBURY, CT — It’s not often that you get to see history being written before your very eyes. But that is exactly what is happening right now. The Chabad Jewish Center in Glastonbury has undertaken the writing of a brand new Torah scroll.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

This new Torah has been commissioned in memory of Mark Tsvok, who passed away tragically at the age of 15. Its primary sponsor is Mark’s father, Ilya.

The writing of a Kosher Torah scroll is a thorough and exhaustive exercise.

The time-honored ritual of the writing of a Torah scroll involves many detailed customs and rites, from the material used – authentic parchment, natural ink and a special quill, to the color and style of the biblical font, to the manner in which a Torah is written – copied word-for-word from a previously written scroll, to the credentials of the Scribe.

As part of the process, the Scribe – a trained and experienced writer of scrolls in the ancient tradition – will present workshops at many area schools.

In Memory of Mark The Chabad Jewish Center recently began writing a brand new Torah Scroll in memory of young Mark Tsvok, a local teenager who tragically passed away at the age of 15.

Memorial Candle opening the beginning ceremony for the new Torah Scroll: Mark Tsvok’s father, Ilya, and his sister, Nikka, light a memorial candle in his honor.

From the Heart: Mark Tsvok’s father, Ilya, addresses the assembled at the beginning ceremony for the new Torah Scroll. Mark’s sister, Nikka, looks on.

Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky congratulates Ilya Tsvok at the Beginning Ceremony of the Torah Scroll.

A Letter in the Torah: Mark Tsvok’s father, Ilya, and his sister, Nikka, write their very own letter in the new Torah scroll being written in his memory

Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky and his daughter, Batya, write their letter in the new Torah scroll.

Community Torah: Hundreds of community members participated in the Beginning Ceremony of the new Mark Tsvok Memorial Torah. Each participant had the chance to write his or her own letter. For more information, or to take part, please call (860) 659-2422.