Shavuot got off to a rousing start for the nearly 850 students attending Yavneh Academy.

The idea of dedicating a new sefer Torah to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Yavneh Academy first came to Rabbi Jonathan Knapp, head of school, about a year and a half ago. Together with Robin Tare, Yavneh’s director of development who oversaw the project, he embarked on a journey to turn the dream into a reality.

The Hachnasat Sefer Torah was timed to take place on May 18, the Friday morning before Shavuot. As Rabbi Knapp explained, “The choice was to do it on a Sunday and risk not having everyone available, or to take time off for it on a school day.” He went with the latter because “I wanted every student to be excited. I wanted them to realize that when you have a big deal celebration in life, it should be centered on Torah.”

The event was the culmination of a three-stage plan that began last September. The first was a school-wide Siyum HaTanach that included current students as well as alumni who participated from around the world. The second was the publishing of a 200+ page journal, which included Torah articles and reflections of the Yavneh experience by students, parents and alumni.

As for the sefer Torah project, every family participated by buying letters. The project and dedication event was co-chaired by two parents, Jocelyn Jonas and Deena Segal. Getting the buzz out was Debbie Abramowitz, Yavneh’s director of communications, who also served as photographer for the ceremony.

As Rabbi Knapp noted, “Rarely does the whole school come together for one purpose.”

The program took place in the school’s gymnasium. Rabbi Steven Penn, Yavneh’s principal for Judaic Studies grades 1-5, choreographed each specific step. He emceed the proceedings as well, beginning with the introduction of Rabbi Menachem Penner, the guest speaker for the event. Rabbi Penner is an alumnus of Yavneh’s class of 1983, and is now the dean of RIETS at Yeshiva University. As a band played, the entire student body and faculty danced and sang, celebrating in anticipation of receiving the new sefer Torah.

In a conversation with The Jewish Link just prior to the opening ceremonies, Rabbi Penner explained what he found special about the planned events and why he was compelled to take a temporary detour from a large presentation to be held later at Yeshiva University. “It’s a beautiful way to instill excitement of Torah. It can sometimes be tough to do so through words, but to experience it like this gives students a taste of Har Sinai.” He noted to the gathering that “the giving of the Torah on Shavuot and the receiving of it are two different things,” adding, “the Torah was given once, but we receive it in our own way and our own time throughout our lives.”

Following the address and the lively singing and dancing, the new Torah was escorted into the gym and onto the stage. Rabbi Knapp addressed the audience prior to the final letters of the sefer Torah being inscribed. He explained that until that last letter is written, it is not considered a kosher Torah, comparing it to each student who was present. “It’s like all of you. Every one of you is important.” He went on to implore all the students gathered: “You should remember today, always.”

After a song presentation by the second graders, two students addressed the gathering. Eighth grader Abby Rosenfeld, who had studied about 60 chapters of Tanach as part of the siyum, delivered a dvar Torah. This was followed by seventh grader Yehuda Zinberg leading the school in the completion of Siyum HaTanach. Several weeks ago he had won his division in the national Chidon Tanach U.S. finals competition that took place in New York City.

The last aliyah was then read by Rabbi Aaron Ross, Yavneh’s middle school Judaic Studies principal, followed by Hagbah, as the Torah was raised high for all to see. The ceremony culminated with the singing of Hamalach Hagoel, the blessing of the children traditionally reserved for Simchat Torah.

By Robert Isler

�Robert Isler is a marketing researcher and a freelance writer who lives in Fair Lawn. He can be reached at [email protected].

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