Central Florida Hillel to receive Torah

Temple Torat Emet, formerly Temple Torah of West Boynton Beach, announced that it will provide Central Florida Hillel with the gift of a Torah as a “permanent loan.” The Torah will be officially moving to the new home for CFH at Northview early this year. The gift marks the first time in known history that Jewish students in Central Florida will have their own Torah.

“Due to the recent growth of Central Florida Hillel since opening its new building last year, there has been a dramatic increase in interest among students for access to a Torah,” commented Charlie Deutch, vice president of Communication for the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. Within hours of sending out a statewide call, Cantor Zachary Mondrow of Temple Torat Emet in West Boynton Beach, Deutch’s home congregation, offered to provide CFH a scroll on permanent loan. 

“Over 90 percent of our students come from the three south Florida counties, and with 80 percent of Florida college students staying in state after college, this is not just an investment in Central Florida Hillel, but an investment by and in our own Jewish future,” said Aaron Weil, executive director and CEO of Central Florida Hillel.

“By offering the Torah on permanent loan, Temple Torat Emet has created a legacy of friendship and commitment between the Jews of West Boynton Beach, and the students at UCF, Stetson University, Rollins College and Barry University,” said Cantor Mondrow.

“We are humbled by this generous gift from the Jewish community at Temple Torat Emet” said Hank Katzen, chairman of the Board of Central Florida Hillel. “We are now one step closer to our goal of having two torah scrolls for our burgeoning population of students.”

A formal transfer of the Torah will take place in the spring.