Temple Kol Ami Dedicates Second Sefer Torah

Charlotte Jewish News, December, 2024

By Shari Baum

Simchat Torah is a time of joyous celebration as we conclude the reading of the Torah and begin anew from the Book of Genesis. At Temple Kol Ami of Fort Mill, we celebrated this holiday by dancing with our sacred scripture and listening to Cantor Mary Thomas chant the parashot in Hebrew and English. Additionally, we marked the occasion with a special dedication of our second Torah.

When Temple Kol Ami was founded about 15 years ago, we were fortunate to receive a Torah from a congregation in Niagara Falls, NY, that was unfortunately closing. We were happy to bring new life to this sacred text in our growing community. About five years ago, we decided we needed a second Torah. Jonathan Shaw, one of Temple Kol Ami’s founding members, contacted an organization in Miami that rehomes Torahs from Eastern Europe. With the support of a grant from Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, we were able to obtain our second Torah. Due to the COVID pandemic, however, the dedication was delayed. This past Simchat Torah, on the anniversary of the brutal murders in Israel, we felt it was time to officially consecrate our new Sefer Torah and bring light and joy into the world.

“Having a second Torah is a testament to the growth of Temple Kol Ami,” remarked Shaw. “We were pleased to be able once again to continue the story of a Torah from another community.” Cantor Thomas blessed the new scroll and the congregation as we began our journey with our proverbial Tree of Life.

If you live in York County or the South Charlotte/Ballantyne area, Temple Kol Ami may be the place for you. We are a warm and inclusive Reform congregation comprising Jews from diverse backgrounds. We generally hold Shabbat services on the first and third Fridays of each month; however, the schedule occasionally changes, so it’s always best to check our calendar at www.templekolamisc.org. We’re pleased that Cantor Thomas will lead us in prayer more regularly in the coming year. She will next be with us on Dec. 20. Wishing all a very Happy and Healthy secular New Year! We hope to see you at Temple Kol Ami in 2025.

Photo caption: Scott Abrams, TKA congregant, holds Torah during consecration ceremony