The Dr Seymour Cohen Memorial Torah Project
The Torah is a tapestry which can adorn the days in which we dwell.
Let us embrace it and make it our own.
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May 18 2008 – The Final Letters |
The Torah teaches it is the responsibility of each Jew to personally write a Sefer Torah. “Write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 31:19) is interpreted by our sages as the 613th mitzvah.
Those of us who were blessed to know Dr. Seymour Cohen, zichrono livracha (may his memory serve as a blessing), knew him as the consummate leader. He gave and he served out of his love for what the synagogue represented to him—an extension of his family and his home. There could not be a more fitting undertaking to honor his memory and establish his legacy than dedicating to him a communal project of writing a Sefer Torah.
The writing of a Sefer Torah is a monumental and historic event in the life of a community. It involves a year-long process of education during which we and our children will observe the sofer (scribe) write the Torah. We will participate in interactive workshops that offer hands on demonstrations and activities for all ages. There will be lectures concerning the Torah’s content, theology and impact on our lives.
A Sefer Torah contains 304,805 letters and each letter can be said to complete the Torah. Tradition tells us that one who writes even a single letter in a Torah, or causes one to be written through their support, fulfills this commandment. The Dr. Seymour Cohen Memorial Torah Project presents an opportunity for each of us to fulfill this mitzvah while contributing to our community by dedicating portions of the Torah. Letters, words, phrases, verses, parashas, books, special portions, biblical names, and meaningful phrases can be commemorated through such dedications.
We are excited to begin this project of learning and dedication in the name of Dr. Seymour Cohen. Please see the information within regarding dedication opportunities.
Seymour Cohen Torah Dedication – June 8 2008
Seymour Cohen Torah Dedication Celebration Highlights – June 8 2008
Seymour Cohen Torah Project – It Begins – October 7 2007
Israel’s History Through Scribal Arts with Rabbi Zerach Greenfield – March 26 2008
Rockland County Synagogue touts new Torah – as seen in the Journal News May 20, 2008
Dr. Seymour Cohen Z”L
Seymour Cohen’s life was dedicated to the love of learning. He grew up in a traditional Jewish family in Montreal and learned in every venue - - public schools, youth groups, troubadour ensembles, and the dining room table he argued around with his parents and five siblings. He faced every challenge with an optimism fueled by his desire to broaden himself intellectually and religiously.
Seymour was a graduate of McGill University, Loyola College, and the University of Montreal Medical School. He practiced Pediatrics in Montreal before moving to New York where he was involved in clinical research at Mt. Sinai and Bronx Lebanon Hospital Centers. In 1981, Seymour joined the Long Island Jewish Medical Center where he served as Vice President of Education and Research, and Assistant Dean at the hospital’s affiliate Albert Einstein College of Medicine - - posts he held until his retirement in 2000.
When the family moved to Orangeburg in 1969, Seymour’s first instinct was to become involved in the OJC. He grew to love the synagogue and its members. Over the next three decades he chaired dozens of committees and served three separate terms as President, often during difficult times, with a genuine respect for the positive influences constructive debate between differing opinions would create. He was always self sacrificing, always learning and teaching, always seeking peace between people.
Seymour was a humble man who had a vision of what our synagogue should be and always thought about its future He was quick witted and known for his puns, but we remember him most for his love of learning and his respect for Torah.
Sefer Torah
Dedication Opportunities
Please consider a meaningful dedication in honor or in memory of a loved one or to commemorate a special event. All dedications will be recorded in a dedication scroll that will be prominently displayed in the synagogue.
A Book of Torah - $25,000
A Special Parsha - $10,000
Any Parsha - $7,200
A Column of Torah Text - $3,000
An aliyah of Torah - $3,000
A Pasuk (Verse of Torah Text) - $2,500
A Special Phrase - $1,000
A Biblical Name - $500
A Single Word - $250
An Ot/ Single Letter
Adults - $100
Children* - $36
*Under Bar/Bat Mitzvah page
Other Contributions are welcome
Dr Seymour Cohen Memorial Torah Project dedication request form
For Information Concerning Dedication Opportunities
Please contact
Janet Miller
845-359-7647
Mel Rosenstock
845-352-6770
Nohra Leff
845-304-1987
For consultation regarding text to be dedicated, please contact Rabbi Scheff or Rabbi Drill. They will be happy to discuss with you and address your questions.
