Page 6 November 26, 2015 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Thankfulness in Torrance By TerriAnn Ferren Photos by TerriAnn Ferren Since its institution by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, Thanksgiving has been celebrated on the last Thursday in November but was changed by an act of Congress in 1941 to the fourth Thursday of November. It is a time for us all to be thankful for our blessings. Last Sunday afternoon, I joined the grateful people of Temple Emet (Temple of Truth), the first Reform Jewish Synagogue in Torrance, as they celebrated their building dedication and ribbon cutting at 2015 West 236th Street. Walking into the synagogue, I was greeted by Elaine Winer, who handed me a program and told me, “I am a relatively new member. For us, it is so exciting and I love our facility here. The reason I got involved was - this particular temple is an all-inclusive temple. It is very welcoming – like an extended family. Very warm and welcoming.” Stepping inside, there was an air of excitement and I observed covered plaques and banners on the walls, which were later unveiled. The ark, where the sacred scrolls would be housed, stood at the front of the synagogue. Rabbi-Cantor Didi Thomas presided over the dedication along with members and friends of the congregation. Also at the event was mayor of Torrance, Patrick Furey, councilman Geoff Rizzo, former councilmembers Hope Witkowsky, Maureen O’Donnell, and Cliff Newmark. Violinist Marianne Rotstein, pianist Nerme Sharp, and harpist Hilda Weintraub provided the music for this very special dedication. Rabbi Didi introduced Burt Belzer, a major donor of the synagogue, also acknowledging Burt’s late wife, Gerry. The synagogue was blessed and then Rabbi Didi explained the Torah, (the sacred scrolls), would now be brought into the synagogue for the very first time, and placed into the just-completed ark (the ark is a chest that houses the scrolls). Music accompanied everything. Upbeat, joyous, celebratory music joined clapping hands and smiling faces everywhere I looked. The music was contagious. “Whenever we do something for the very first time we sing the shehecheyanu - thanking God for bringing us, sustaining us - this moment in time to this season. And whenever we put blessing out into the universe towards the divine, the blessing reflects back upon us all,” explained Rabbi-Cantor Didi. Rabbi Didi quoted psalm 118, and several board members, and others were thanked, in addition to the entire membership, for the realization of this new home for the congregation. Then Rabbi-Cantor Didi continued, “…But it is important to note that even though we have built this building, our work is only just begun. We are meant to carry the light of the divine forward. We are meant to fill the South Bay and Torrance with the light of our particular faith, Reform Judaism, but also with our inclusivity. We are meant to raise our children to value the commandments, to live as moral, upright and just people…” “I am so excited to be part of - and a member of the very first temple in the history of Torrance. 103 years, and it is amazing that we finally have a home,” said Hope Witkowsky. Frank Kantrowitz, President of the Trustees told me, “It is two years ago that we bought this building and we didn’t know what we were getting into when we bought it…it was a long hard project to get through, but we did it in the end and it feels great. We all live in Torrance and Redondo Beach mostly and so it is a great location.” Then the mayor of Torrance, Patrick Furey, spoke and told the crowded synagogue, “… Torrance has always said we are a balanced community - and can it truly be balanced without a place to worship? I don’t think so. I think that actually adds to the balance – we talk about our residence, our industry, and our commerce, but is all that anything without a house of worship? And finding out only just days ago, from Hope [Witkowsky] - that this is the first Temple within the city of Torrance - have we come to a full balance now? I think we have.” After some special words from Burt Belzer, the Birkat Kohanim was sung, followed by ‘Im Tirtzu,’ sung and led by the Religious School Teachers, Zack Thomas and Sascha Recht. The unveiling of the plaques around the building and the Dedication was formally completed. Mazal Tov Temple Emet! Refreshments followed and it was then I caught up with Rabbi-Cantor Didi Thomas for her comments, “The Jews have been wandering in the wilderness and for a long time it sort of felt like maybe we were wandering even in the South Bay, because now in Torrance we have an official synagogue for Reformed Judaism. So we are very excited – most particularly for what we are doing for the future. We are planting seeds that will be here for future generations to come. So we are very thrilled.” Talking with five-and-a-half year old Lincoln Newmark, he told me, “We are here because of grandma, Wendy Wengrow. “This is really exciting to have a Torrance synagogue and I know my mom is so proud of all the community has accomplished. It is a tribute to the whole community and certainly Rabbi-Cantor Didi has done a great job.” Michael Witkowsky told me, “Absolutely phenomenal. A lot of people did a lot of hard work to get to this and it is great.” The room was buzzing when I left, but the thankfulness of those who celebrated this very special event will never fade. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, and the members of Temple Emet will be thankful now, on their first evening of Hanukkah next week in this new space, and on all the holidays to come. My ‘thankful list’ grows by the day and what better time than Thanksgiving to share with family and friends all that we are thankful for – today and for the future. Our sixteenth president set aside this special holiday for all citizens to thank God for our blessings – for our country. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! • Allen Ravine and Elaine Winer. Barbara Gerber and Hope Witkowsky. Mark Reichard, Wendy Wengrow, Rabbi-Cantor Didi Thomas, and Frank Kantrowitz. Mayor Patrick Furey and Rabbi Didi Thomas. Michael and Former Councilwoman Hope Witkowsky. Former Councilwoman Hope Witkowsky and Councilman Geoff Rizzo. Cutting the Ribbon (l-r) Mayor of Torrance, Patrick Furey, First President Wendy Wengrow, Second President, Mark Reichard, Rabbi Didi Thomas, and Third President Frank Kantrowitz.
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