Dear Tom,

Attached please find some photographs that I think you will enjoy.  The occasion is the arrival and blessing of the Torah from you.

In addition, I want to share a wonderful story with you about a young man in Tver named Maxim.

I just coordinated the visit of a Cantor and an educator from Los Angeles to work at our Reform summer camp outside of Moscow. They befriended a young man named Maxim who was on staff there, and soon found out that he was from Tver.  Maxim told them that his congregation had received a Torah from an American congregation and that they were so thrilled.

Anyway, at this point in time the visiting rabbi is the only person in the Tver community who can read the Torah.  But after studying with the cantor and educator from LA, this young man has set his sights on becoming the first Torah reader in his congregation.  This is what your Torah is doing!  It's inspiring Jewish learning in a place where there is not a lot of opportunity.

Tom, all the best to you, your family, and your congregation for a Shana Tova!

Mandy Eisner
WUPJ