Chabad of Brandon Raises Funds for Torah

In the Jewish faith, it's traditional to bring something good from tragedy, said Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin.

With that in mind, Chabad of Brandon has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase its own Torah in honor of a young rabbinical student who was killed in an accident last May.

The cousin of the rabbi's wife, Tzippy, Nosson Deitch, 21, and fellow rabbinical students from Miami were visiting Chabad of Brandon for the Jewish Lag B'omer celebration and barbecue last May.

"They just came for the weekend and Nosson made a big impression on everyone," said Rubashkin. "He was so full of life."

But that life was cut short when he and his fellow students decided to go jet skiing that Sunday, Deitch was killed instantly when his jet ski collided with another rabbinical student's jet ski.

"In Judaism, we try to bring some light into the darkness of tragedy," said Rubashkin. "We want to esnure that something good comes out of the sadness."

So the members agreed to raise the $25,100 for their own Torah in Deitch's honor.

Chabad of Brandon, which meets at a home at 3005 Waylon Lane in Valrico the congregation purchased a year and a half ago, currently uses a loaned Torah for its Saturday services.

"The Torah plays an important role in our community; it's a prized possession. But we haven't been able to purchase our own Torah because they are very expensive," said Rubashkin, noting that the Torah consists of the five books of Moses written in the original Hebrew.

"The reason they're so expensive is that they are entirely written by hand on hides by a scribe. No machines are used. It takes a year to complete one Torah," explained Rubashkin.

The cost of a new Torah is about $35,000, said Rubashkin. The congregation plans to purchase a used Torah,

"It's tradition to read from the Torah on Saturday mornings, and when Nosson was here, he read from our Torah. We felt purchasing a Torah in his memory is a befitting way to keep the lessons learned from Nosson alive. Each week as we read from the Torah, we will be reminded how Nosson was a living example of a young adult who identified with the Torah and lived his life according to its teachings with great joy."

Members are being given the opportunity to contribute and dedicate a portion of the Torah to a loved one. There are 50 portions members can sponsor for $100.  Members can also sponsor books in the Torah for $2,500. There are other levels of sponsorship as well.

"Some are doing it in honor of their children. Others are doing it in the memory of a loved one," said Rubashkin. "This way the whole commu7nity will have a part of the Torah. They'll have a stake in it and pride of ownership."

So far, the members of the Chabad have raised $4,070. Their goal is to raise the entire $25,100 by the anniversary of Deitch's death.

Chabad of Brandon was founded by Rubashkin  in 2004.

"Our mission is to create a home where any Jew would feel comfortable, whether they attend services regularly or only on High Holy Days," Rubashkin.

In addition to Saturday services, Rubashkin also offers weekly classes and a once-a-month Shabbat Recharge luncheon featuring singing, discussions and a chance to recharge for the coming month. The next Shabbat Recharge is April 2.

"Jews can attend our weekly classes or call in and watch them live on WebEx," said Rubashkin. "The classes are based on the weekly reading from the Torah. They're meant to provide tooks for living. They show how occurrences in the Torah have a great deal to say about what's happening today."

Rubashkin said the purpose of the classes are not only to teach the faith but to help people identify their mission in the world.

"We try to help everyone recognize they have tremendous potential, they have a purpose and mission in their world," said Rubashkin.

Rubashkin said it's not always easy to stay on track when there is so much pain and suffering in the world.

"The forces of darkness can be overwhelming," he said. "We live in a time when the Divine Presence is hidden. The divinity of the world just isn't obvious. Our job is to bring it to the forefront, and celebrate and support one another."

For information on Chabad of Brandon and its fundraising drive to purchase a Torah, visit https://chabadbrandonorg.