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To understand the excitement of dedicating a new Torah, think along the lines of
Hailey’s comet and flights to the moon. These momentous, awe inspiring, once-in-
a-lifetime events stir a good deal of emotions in the people fortunate enough to
view them.

On Sunday, September 21, Chabad of Bakersfield, a local Jewish outreach
organization, will have the great fortune of holding just such an event. Mrs.
Maxine Barber and family from Bakersfield are presenting a new Torah scroll to
the Chabad Center in loving memory of their dear parents and grandparents, Rose and
Joseph Lebanoff.

A Torah scroll — the most precious article in Jewish life — contains the five
books of Moses. It is hand written in Hebrew on parchment using black ink and a
feathered quill. The scribe painstakingly duplicates, in precise detail, every
letter and word and even the spacing between paragraphs and chapters. Thus, the
chain of the Torah has remained unbroken from the time it was given to Moses on
Mt. Sinai.

“This is a centuries-old tradition, to participate in the creation of a Torah,
says Rabbi Shmuel Schlanger. “It is said to bring God’s blessings upon us."

To celebrate this auspicious occasion, a grand dedication and celebration is
planned at the Chabad Center for Jewish Living, 6901 McDivitt Dr. #C.  The
completion ceremony will be on its way as the scribe fills in the final letters
in the Torah. Then, a joyous procession will parade outside the center under a
Chupah (canopy) with torches, live music and refreshments. The Celebration will
continue with a live concert from the Jewish rock band 8th Day. The entire community is invited to participate in this meaningful and concrete expression of solidarity.

For more information please call the Chabad Center at: 661-835-8381 or visit us
on the web at: www.ChabadofBakersfield.com.  The celebration will begin at 4:00 p.m. Celebration and concert is free of charge.