board of jewish education of greater new york

Rabbi Martin Schloss
Executive Vice-President

Jeffrey Corbin
President

Philip Schatten
Chairman of the Board

Dear Rabbi Friedman:

I was most touched to learn that NAVAH, the organization serving terror victims, run by you and Tehila, is planning a Sefer Torah campaign. Clearly, it is a fitting and proper way to memorialize those young individuals, who because of being Jewish were killed through acts of terrorism. Please know you have my support and encouragement throughout the entire process of this effort.

On a personal note, your project responds to a serious dilemma of mine. For the longest time, it has bothered me that as a community we have been underwhelming in our support for the victims of terrorism in Israel. To simply live in Israel at times of adversity ought to be sacrifice enough in ones dedication to the furtherance of the Jewish people. But when that reality is exacerbated by personal tragedy, then we as a community must act in a profound way to demonstrate our partnership with and support of our Israeli brethren. By writing a Sefer Torah in their name, we demonstrate that we are inspired by their lives and sacrifices to increase and enhance the impact of Torah living in our society. What a fitting response to those who seek to terminate our faith by re-invigorating it through the writing of a Torah in our martyrs' memory. Surely, this represents a significant response to my dilemma.

May the Almighty grant you success in your noble endeavor and may the families of the victims of terror be somewhat consoled in the role they have played toward our rededication to a Torah existence in our homeland.

Best wishes,

Rabbi Martin Schloss

520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10018 mschloss@bjeny.org Tel. (646) 472-5330 Fax (646) 472-54 30