NEW TORAH MARCH TEMPLE CELEBRATES DONATION OF HOLY TEXT.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

NEWHALL - As children waved flags and marchers banged on tambourines, a lively procession of congregants from Temple Beth Ami marched their new Torah down Orchard Village Road to its home at the temple on Hilse Drive.

The 300-year-old Torah was created by scribes in Jerusalem and was purchased recently by Jeff and Joyce Stein as a tribute to Jeff's mother, Rae, a congregant who died this year.

``We have a small Torah that was a gift from the Reform Movement, but we don't have the emotional attachment that we have to this one,'' explained Rabbi Mark Blazer. ``Rae was a caring, supportive single mother and Jeff wanted to do something to keep her memory alive.''

Due to age, the scroll was put on new wooden rollers and a new mantle, or cover, was created from red velvet, embroidered with Hebrew letters and a dedication to Rae Stein.

``This is a tremendous gift to the congregation, as Torahs can cost upwards of $10,000,'' Blazer said. ``When the holy text is written on parchment with a quill, it adds a whole different level to the readings. The process can take a year or more.''

The temple prepared for a new Torah last June when a new ark was built with roomy sections for a larger scroll.

Jeff's brother Mark held the Torah as the group organized itself in front of the market, handing it to Blazer to give to 13-year-old Spencer Monheim, who celebrated his bar mitzvah Saturday.

After he handed the Torah off to another congregant, Monheim seemed to relax a bit.

``It was cool,'' he said, smiling. ``Joyce asked me to carry it and at first, I thought I'd be tired. Then my mom said it was a once-in-a-lifetime honor.''

The parade stopped every now and then for Blazer to put a new prayer shawl on another congregant who would take the Torah a few steps farther. He wanted to make sure that everyone who wanted to carry the scroll had a chance ``because this doesn't happen very often.''

``This is a celebration that invites the community,'' he said.

Mike Schwartz gingerly took the Torah with his bandaged right hand and cradled the velvet bundle to his chest. As he walked down Orchard Village Road, he seemed to stand a little taller with pride.

``It was incredible, almost supernatural,'' Schwartz said, describing the experience. ``The spiritualness of it all - that's what it's all about. I had surgery on my hand Friday, but I wasn't going to miss this for the world.''

Congregant Marcia Davis drove alongside the procession with cold water and a basket of yarmulkes in case any of the men forgot theirs.

``This is symbolic, the marching of the Torah,'' she said. ``You don't just bring in a Torah - you dance and march and celebrate.''

Wendy Hersch walked along the route playing her guitar and leading songs to mark the joyousness and give cadence to the neighborhood walk. Often Cantor Michael Freed would raise his voice in harmony with the rest of the singers, who gained energy as the temple got closer, clapping and bobbing their heads.

After they reached the temple, the Stein families gathered for a picture with all the Torah bearers as Davis coordinated the photography.

``This is a Jewish mosh pit,'' Davis joked. ``Everybody ready? 1-2-3, mazel tov!''

Joyce and Jeff Stein, who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary Sunday, continued the celebration after the Torah arrived at the temple by renewing their wedding vows. Congregants threw candy at the Torah as it was walked into the temple, a festive tradition that marked sweetness entering their lives.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Jeff Stein holds the 300-year-old Torah that was donated by his family to Temple Beth Ami in memory of his mother, Rae, a temple congregant who passed away this year.

(2 -- color) Rabbi Mark Blazer speaks at the gathering of congregants, who marched to the temple with the scroll created by scribes in Jerusalem.

(3 -- color) The procession of congregants, many of whom had a chance to carry the Torah, arrive at Temple Beth Ami on Hilse Drive in Newhall on Sunday.

(4 -- 5) Above, the marchers, some of whom sang and played tambourines on the walk, move along a tree-lined path. At left, the congregants at the head of the procession cross the street in Newhall.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer