Simchat Torah at Congregation Beth Aaron will be celebrated with an added dimension of joy and unity. Through the efforts of a “dream team” of overseers, artists, volunteers and generous congregants, the children and grandchildren of the congregation will assemble for their aliyah under a brand new, enlarged, artistically embroidered and personalized Kol HaNearim tallit. The tallit represents the range of membership of the Beth Aaron community, from newly affiliated young couples with young children to long-standing members who are proud grandparents, with an ever-increasing sprinkling of great-grandparents.
Under the religious guidance of Rabbi Larry and Rebbetzin Chaviva Rothwachs, and with the capable leadership of President Isaac Hagler, and the efficient support of shul administrator Judi Resnick, the long-awaited project has come to fruition.
Some 15 years ago, Ellen Friedman, 40-year resident of Teaneck and former kindergarten teacher, whispered to neighbor Renee Harcsztark, equally long-term resident of Teaneck, that she was “dreaming of a glorious project” that would reflect the growth of the Beth Aaron community. She envisioned a tallit to be held aloft on Simchat Torah under which the children and grandchildren of the congregation would look up to actually see their names emblazoned in colorful embroidery stitches above them. Friedman’s dream was “put on hold” for the past 15 years as a result of a thoughtful act of chesed by another long-standing Beth Aaron family. As a gesture of hakarat hatov for being honored by Beth Aaron at their 2001 dinner, Esther and Myron Chaitovsky dedicated two co-joined Munkatcher tallitot to the shul to accommodate the ever-growing number of children congregating for the Kol HaNearim aliyah.
It is now 15 years later and the tallitot have fortunately once again become too small to accommodate the children. In steps Friedman, with the assistance of her “minions” Renee Harcsztark and Judy Berkowitz, and with the blessing of the rabbi begins to pursue that “glorious dream.”
Utilizing her artistic bent and professional involvement in creating commissioned chuppot, challah covers and other personalized embroidered pieces, Friedman designed a tallit that represents our love for Yerushalayim coupled with our blessings for our children. The 18-foot by 12-foot fabric was designed to be viewed by the adults from the outer sides and the children from within. The outer sides will display the traditional brachot with which we bless our sons and daughters on Friday nights, as well as two additional brachot. “U’re’eh banim l’vanecha shalom al Yisrael” —And you shall see children born to your children, peace upon Israel, and “Banecha k’shtilai zeitim saviv l’shulchanecha”—Your children are like olive shoots around your table (Tehillim 128).
From the inside looking up, the children will be surrounded on three sides by vibrant scenes of Yerushalayim and, directly ahead, an embroidered replica of the Kotel. Hanging above them on a background of royal blue and decorated with glittering crystals will be the golden letters of “Hamalach Hagoel,” the traditional bracha recited by and on behalf of our children. Finally, but most significantly, the panel will be surrounded by 38 square patches embroidered in Hebrew with the names of children and grandchildren and, yes, even great-grandchildren, of Beth Aaron members who have donated letter-by-letter to the project. The names will be meticulously embroidered onto the patches by Teaneck resident of 41 years and Beth Aaron member Toby Eizik. Each patch will accommodate up to seven names. Additional patches will be added yearly as needed. Eizik, who has served as a school nurse at Moriah for 27 years, has been cross-stitching since the age of 5. Eizik and Friedman had collaborated many years ago on a chuppah for a hachnasat Sefer Torah for Beth Aaron. They are delighted to be joining their skills once again on such a meaningful project.
Rachelle Mandelbaum is serving as the coordinator of the names and donations to the tallit. The name of her and husband Chaim’s first grandchild will appear on a patch together with the names of three more great-grandchildren of her parents, Lorraine and Sam Vogel, also long-standing members of Beth Aaron. Through generous contributions by members of Beth Aaron of the poles, valances and other components of the tallit, the entire proceeds of the name dedications will go to the shul.
Myron Chaitovsky is overseeing the Hebrew lettering for the names and quotations. For Chaitovsky, the tallit is truly a look to the future. “As the children stand under the Kol HaNearim tallit/chuppah looking up to find their names, it is our hope that they will come to understand that they represent the future of klal Yisrael and that they carry with them the dreams of their parents and grandparents for Jewish continuity on a Torah-true path.”
For Friedman, whose “glorious dream” is coming true, “The culmination of the Kol HaNearim project brings together the three most essential parts of my life—those of being a Jew, having children and grandchildren, and my love for creating through sewing.”
By Pearl Markovitz
