For the first time in its history, a new Torah scroll was launched by Jewish students at the University of Illinois. Senior Max Dayan, a communications major, initiated the project in memory of his mother, Bonnie Dayan, an alumna who passed away in 2007 after a 10-year battle with breast cancer.
“Since I was young I have known that it is one of the biggest mitzvahs to write a Torah, and I always wanted to do it,” said Dayan, who is using a large sum of his own money to finance the scroll. “My mother provided me with everything having to do with my Jewish education and identity, so there is no better way to remember her than with this Torah; she will live forever through this Torah.”
After his mother’s passing, Dayan’s friends on campus collected funds to donate Jewish items in her memory, such as an ark and table covering at the Chabad-Lubavitch Center for Jewish Student Life at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though these items have borne her name for the past four years, her son sought an even greater testament to her memory. For Dayan, who became engaged to be married the week before the Torah writing kickoff ceremony on April 10, the Torah has also been a way to unite his family and the greater university community.
“My father, grandparents and some of my mother’s close friends attended the ceremony,” said Dayan of the 100 people who attended the event. “And I can already see the whole campus getting excited about the new Torah.”
Dayan’s own friends are joining in the project as well.
“We’re supporting him and promoting the Torah project extensively,” said Orie Schifman, president of the Chabad House and a junior economics major. “Having our own Torah will really build the community here and give us a sense of ownership. This is a huge mitzvah to be a part of.”
The Torah, whose writing began and will end in Champaign, is being scribed largely in Israel and will cost close to $40,000 to complete. Two of Dayan’s classmates have already pledged to raise $10,000 for the Torah’s silver crown, and more than 100 people have donated a joint sum of $10,000 to date. For his part, however, Dayan hopes to raise even more to fund the construction of a Jewish ritual bath.
“The whole idea of this is that everyone should feel that they are a part of this Torah,” said Chabad House director Rabbi Dovid Teichtel. “Parents, alumni, and members of the local community will also share in this.”
“This Torah is creating a tremendous spark to help create and sustain Jewish life and identity,” echoed Dr. B.J. Riskin, a neurologist and alum who teaches at the university. “Those who come in contact with this Torah will forever be linked.”
For Shizue Taerbaum, vice president of the Chabad House and a junior nursing major, the thought of marching through campus welcoming the new Torah scroll is enchanting.
“I can’t imagine what it will be like,” said Taerbaum, who was excited to sponsor her own letter in the new scroll. “It’s not normal that something like this is happening in Champaign, right in Illinois.”
Michoel Kerendian, an alum who works under Chabad House director Rabbi Dovid Teichtel, spoke of the Torah’s ability to unify people.
“This is making Torah a personal experience for everyone in the community,” said Kerendian, who has noticed more student involvement since the commencement ceremony. “That this was started by a student shows that a person doesn’t have to wait until he’s old to give back to the community, or to connect with his home away from home.”
WOW Amazing!! Such a special event!