Recently, one of its atzei ḥayyim—the wooden handles that hold and support the scroll—broke. Not only did this make hagbah (lifting the Torah) impossible, but it also created a moment of reflection: even sacred things need repair.
Enter Jim Salinsky, Woodworking Instructor at Milwaukee Jewish Day School, who lovingly restored the handle. His care and craftsmanship quite literally helped us hold our Torah once again.
As we approach Simchat Torah, when we celebrate both the ending and beginning of the Torah, I can’t help but see a parallel in the world around us.
In the Middle East, as hostages and Palestinians (among others) return home, we are witnessing the fragile beginnings of repair. There is nothing more sacred than human life—and perhaps nothing holier than the act of restoring what has been broken.
Our Torah, newly mended, is a quiet reminder that repair is possible. It takes patience. It takes care. And it takes a belief that even after deep fracture, we can still hold on—to hope, to each other, and to the possibility of peace.
May this Simchat Torah be a holiday in which we dance with gratitude for what’s whole and strengthen our courage for what still needs healing.
