To mark the Yahrzeit of October 7th 2023, Woodford Forest United Synagogue took part in the Mizrachi Simchat Torah project. The community was asked to raise funds for a beautifully designed me’il, which proclaims that it is dedicated in memory of the 1200 souls and the many soldiers and hostages who have since died.
In addition, each Torah cover features the name of one of the kedoshim embroidered onto it. In our community one of our member’s great-niece was killed.
Yam Glass was 19 years old and a soldier in the 414th Battalion. She was commander of observers at the Nahal Oz outpost and perished when her station was bombed by Hamas on October 7th 2023.
We had an amazing response and were able to purchase not only the sefer torah cover but a new reader’s desk cover, which names all those that died on that day.
At the inauguration ceremony in Israel in September, they said that so far 613 mantles had been ordered by communities across 31 countries. This project will symbolize the Jewish People’s resilience, our ability to find hope in the face of tragedy.
On Simchat Torah this year when we danced holding the sefer torah and its special cover, we felt like we were unified, knowing that across the globe, Jews were dancing with Torah scrolls that collectively link us all with the events of October 7th and inspire us to realize that “Am Yisrael Chai.”
By Paula Saffer
