UW Hillel’s long-standing quest for an additional Torah came to an end on Friday, February 3rd. Years after reaching out to the Hillel Schusterman International Center (SIC), the Legacy Foundation, and an organization that redistributes Torahs that are no longer in use, Executive Director Greg Steinberger received word that Hillel was among several institutions under consideration for receiving a Torah. In late January, the Legacy Foundation informed the SIC that Hillel would be a recipient of one of the 8 Torahs owned by a synagogue in NY. Shortly thereafter, Tim Cohen, Senior Vice President at Hillel, informed Greg that UW Hillel would be the lucky recipient of the Torah.
Here is the story about a Torah's journey from Niagara Falls, New York to Madison, Wisconsin . The story really begins in 1895 with Temple Beth Israel, which in its heyday welcomed 200 families. The “new” Torah originally belonged to Temple Beth Israel, a Conservative synagogue that was founded in 1895, chartered in 1905, and dissolved in 2011 following decreases in membership. While Beth Israel’s dissolution is a painful loss for the Jewish community, its dedication to utilizing its resources to strengthen other communities is inspiring. The synagogue donated many of its books to local universities and libraries, offered its siddurim and stained glass to other synagogues, and partnered with the Legacy Foundation to enable other Jewish institutions to enjoy its Torahs. Beth Israel’s legacy lives on in Madison and in other Jewish communities around the country as a result of its community’s desire to share its resources.
And one of their Torahs found its way to the University of Wisconsin Hillel in Madison. Rob Goldberg, Vice President of Campus Development at the Schusterman international Center, offered to drive with his wife, Shira, from Buffalo to pick up the Torah and thank the current shul president, Dr. Wolfgang, whose grandfather was among the congregations founders. Then it was off to UPS where Rob called Greg, and worked with him to have the Torah shipped to Madison. After much anticipation, Hillel UW students and staff opened the package containing the Torah to find it prepared for the week’s reading and ready for use in its new home. The next day, at Shabbat morning services UW Hillel Rabbi Andrea Steinberger, delivered a beautiful d'var torah about Parshat Beshallach and the gift of the Torah. UW Hillel with its active student community supporting multiple Shabbat and learning opportunities is honored to carry on the tradition of service and worship held for so long at Temple Beth Israel.
Rabbi Andrea Steinberger describes the Torah as “a gift of old and new” - as it is a new addition to the Madison Jewish community, despite having served another Jewish community in Niagara Falls for decades. The Torah’s history is bittersweet, and it is important to recognize that our community grows stronger because a defunct synagogue has chosen to bestow one of its remnants upon us.
This Torah fills a void that previously hindered Hillel’s ability to sustain multiple minyans for Shabbat and High Holidays services. According to Rabbi Steinberger, the Torah enables Hillel to continue to offer meaningful Jewish experiences for students in Madison. Moreover, she believes that the Torah’s history will motivate students to sustain their connections to the Jewish community following graduation. In a time when the Jewish population is shrinking in certain areas, it is vital that younger generations cultivate their connections to Judaism so that they may become leaders as adults. The Torah will serve a religious purpose at Hillel; yet, it will also function as a reminder of the importance of community, inspiring students to solidify their dedication to Judaism.
If you would like to learn more about religious life at UW Hillel click here or contact Rabbi Andrea Steinberger.
Madeline Miller ‘12
UW Hillel Development Intern