(Courtesy of Chabad of West Orange) Reb Eliyahu Green, of blessed memory, passed away at the age of 46 after a yearlong illness, leaving behind a grieving widow and 13 orphaned children. It’s been 26 years since that sad day, Isru Chag Pesach, the night after Passover, however, his presence is still missed by his loved ones and all who knew him.

His ninth child, Altie Kasowitz, serves as co-director and rebbetzin of Chabad West Orange, together with her husband Mendy Kasowitz, who serves as co-director and congregational rabbi.

“For many years I dreamed of doing something special for my father here in our shul and I always knew writing a sefer Torah would be the ultimate tribute to a man who embodied kindness, generosity and love,” said Altie Kasowitz. “For whatever reason, it didn’t happen. Now, thank God, we have launched a Torah Campaign in my father’s memory.”

Everyone is invited to participate in this unique opportunity. You can sponsor a portion in honor or memory of a loved one, and also fulfill the last mitzvah in the Torah of writing your own sefer Torah.

Since most people are not qualified scribes, a professional scribe (sofer), Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin of Machon Stam in Brooklyn, New York, is being commissioned to write the scroll on behalf of all who join. In this way, everyone who participates can fulfill the obligation of writing a Torah scroll.

The writing ceremony to begin the Torah will be held on Motzei Shabbat, Saturday evening, February 29, corresponding to the Jewish date of Adar 4, at 8:30 p.m.. Our sages teach us that “When Adar enters, we increase in joy”! What better way to accomplish this then by writing a holy Sefer Torah!

The plan is to complete the Torah by next year on the fifth night of Chanukah, the Festival of Light, which will be five years to the day that Chabad of West Orange opened its doors and moved into its new location at 401 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange.

For all those who wish to participate in the writing of the Torah, please visit the Chabad of West Orange official website www.chabadwestorange.com/torah.

There are many options available, giving everyone a chance to be part of this unique opportunity.

If you have any questions, please contact Chabad of West Orange at 973-325-6311 or [email protected]

The Sefer Torah Campaign is a project of Chabad of West Orange, affiliated with Lubavitch Center and the Rabbinical College of America.