Torah Dedication 

Sunday, June 8, 2008 was a special day that none of us will soon forget.  Our new "Holocaust" scroll was dedicated and celebrated by all.  We learned about its beginnings, its years spent silently in a monastery and then in an artisan's shop and finally its being discovered by Rabbi Menachem Youlus.  Rabbi Youlus restored the Torah to pristine status and it has now found a loving home with Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick.  Below are Rabbi Sikowitz’s introductory words about the history of our Torah.

Lvov Holocaust Scroll

Lvov was a city that was part of Ukraine and sometimes, depending on where the border happened to be, in Southeastern Poland.  Lvov was taken over by the Germans in 1941 after they had broken their Pact of Steel with the Soviet Union; and the Germans unleashed the anti-Semitic wrath of the Ukrainians. By 1939, there were over 200,000 Jews in Lvov, some 100,000 were refugees from German occupied Poland.

The Lvov Jewish community was unique in that it had a vast array of Jews, that is, Jews from the far right (religiously) and also the far left.  From our understanding of the city, they seemed to live fairly harmoniously.  After the Nazi’s moved in and took over the area, the Jews were often rounded up and send to camps.  In Lvov, it seems that the Jews had been herded into their synagogues and the buildings were burned with the people being burned alive inside.  In this particular case, some Catholic clergy went into the synagogue after most of the damage was done and found this Torah and others.

Rabbi Youlis found two major depositories of Toratot in Lvov.  One was in a mass grave on the edge of town.  The other was with a fellow who sold the parchments to artists.   At some point this businessman had gone to the clergy who had saved the scrolls and bought the parchment from them.  He had at least 70 Toratot cut up in pieces all over his store in present day Lvov.  Of these, Rabbi Youlis was able to put together 22 full length scrolls from pieces. 

Rabbi Youlis identified each of the pieces of parchment and put them back together by identifying the cut of the animal skin, apparently different families cut the skin in different ways.  Additionally, the ink was very peculiar to specific areas and scribes.  In warm, wet climates you would use a certain type of ink that will last in that environment; in dry, cold areas, another type of ink.  The ink helped identify which piece belonged to which Torah scroll.

Our Torah is approximately 89-92 years old and has not been read from for at least 65 years.  While the Nazi’s are now gone, this Torah and we Jews live on. I wish I could say that anti=Semitism is gone too, but alas, it is still very much alive.  However, here in Frederick, Maryland, this Torah will be loved, honored and cared for and every time someone reads from it; it will be an incomparable act of redemption.  

Religious Affairs Committee

The Religious Affairs Committee meets every other month to determine policy concerning the spiritual activities of the congregation.  To learn more about the Religious Affairs Committee or to join the committee, please contact Michael Stern, Chair.

The next Religious Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 7, at 7:15 pm.  For location and directions, please contact Mike Stern by email or at 301/473-5546.  New members welcome!

Regarding Food at Kol Ami Events

Out of respect for historic custom, events sponsored by the Congregation, including life cycle events will be served “kosher-style.” Dishes should be labeled as meat or dairy, and congregants should refrain from bringing items traditionally considered “traif” (such as pork and shellfish) to such events. We hope that by following these guidelines, Kol Ami will reduce confusion and potentially embarrassing situations for those bringing food to Kol Ami events.  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

  Synagogue Decorum

The following policies are in keeping with making the worship service as fulfilling and undisturbed as possible:

• When entering the sanctuary, CKAF requests that all cell phones be turned off. Doctors or other professionals who may be on call may leave their phones on silent; however, when receiving a call, it is requested that they quickly and quietly exit the sanctuary as inconspicuously as possible to answer the call.
• It is inappropriate to enter or leave the sanctuary when the congregation is standing as these are significant parts of the service, a more intense meditation.
• There will be no taking of still photographs during any service.  Should a congregant desire to have the rabbi, or anyone else, in photographs, this should be discussed with the rabbi prior to the service. Photography can be arranged for either before or after the service. For videography, a single camera is acceptable at the rear of the sanctuary with as little movement of the camera as possible. No flashes or extra lighting will be allowed. 
• A religious service is a time when congregants attempt to reach a heightened level of spiritual awareness.  If the music moves someone and they want to clap in time to the music, that is acceptable, but acknowledging anyone with applause is not.
• Appropriate behavior for adults, teenagers and children are expected at all times. CKAF encourages all families to bring even their youngest children to services; however, when their behavior reaches the point that it disturbs other congregants or the service leader, the parents are expected to take proper measures and bring the child into the quiet room. Children are to be properly supervised at all times in and out of the sanctuary.

Policy on Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, a determination on cancellation will be made in as timely a manner as weather conditions permit. Once it has been determined that an event should be cancelled, a broadcast e-mail will immediately be sent to all members and those on our mailing list. A determination will also be posted on our website and a message will be left on our telephone line. So please either check your e-mail, the web site, or call our number, 301-874-0406, if there are weather concerns. Please be aware that the Religious School has a separate plan in effect, including a phone tree for notification, in the event that Religious School needs to be cancelled.