Neil Yerman, a sofer for 23 years, well known for his love of Torah, for his skill as a sofer and as a master teacher, was asked to analyze both the Deadwood and Ellsworth Torahs. The scrolls were sent to his studio in New York. Sofer Yerman concluded that although both Torahs were of approximately the same age, 140 years old, the Deadwood Torah, which had been sent to Denver for koshering 10 years previously, had a far greater amount of deterioration than the Ellsworth Torah, and it was agreed to restore only the Ellsworth Torah.

Our own Ilene Americus, with our synagogue for barely two years, but already thoroughly involved in synagogue activities, stepped up to the plate. Ilene performed the great mitzvah of sponsoring the repair and restoration of the “Ellsworth Torah” by Sofer Yerman.

This allowed the Board of Directors to invite Sofer Yerman to personally deliver both Torahs back to our Synagogue of the Hills, and provide us with a full weekend of learning. In between his many stories and demonstrations of his talent with Hebrew calligraphy, Sofer Yerman revealed to us some of the intricacies and mysteries in the life of a Torah. He spoke of the physical and spiritual aspects of the scroll, some of which can be hundreds of years old. We learned about the parchment, the quills and reeds, and the ink. He pointed out the beauty of the letters and of the meaning behind each one. We learned of the mysticism attached to the Hebrew alphabet as we plunged into gematria, and found ourselves baffled at the whirl of numbers assigned to each letter and the significance of various combinations.

No one went hungry. Shabbat lunch was catered by Khoury’s, with such Middle Eastern delicacies as stuffed dolma, hummus and salads. After Havdalah, Saturday night supper was a pot-luck, with Ilene as the guest of honor, and a wide variety of dishes. Lunch on Sunday was catered by Black Hills Bagels, who get high marks from those who best know and love the bagel.

Sunday’s culminating event was dedication of the scroll, a very unique kind of Jewish “wedding.”  We welcomed the “bride” with Sofer Yerman’s Klezmer clarinet as the Torah was carried into the sanctuary beneath a chuppah made from a tallit.

Then came the moment that would lift our souls, as each of us in turn was invited to hold the quill while Sofer Yerman’s steady hand applied another tiny, exquisite crown to a letter of Torah. We were standing at Sinai, we were the Wall; his quill was connecting us to Jews everywhere, in generations past and those to come, who held to their tradition and kept Judaism alive. Who would believe we would ever have such an experience in Rapid City, South Dakota?

In addition to Sofer Neil Yerman, we have a list of people to thank. First, we thank the Board of Directors and Steve Benn of the Ritual committee. We also thank Barb Ames, who worked so hard on preparation, organization and coordination of the event, while making the oneg on Friday night and more goodies for Saturday’s supper. And a special cheer for Ms. Ilene Americus, whose incredible generosity made this moving and uplifting weekend possible. 

Thank you all very much!