Our member Alan Steckel has generously placed on indefinite loan to Congregation Beth Shalom a sefer Torah which has been in his family for approximately 100 years. It was commissioned by Alan’s grandparents, Jacob and Hannah Kruger Steckel, on the occasion - family lore has it - of their daughter surviving polio. It resided at Temple Israel in Dunmore, Pa. (a small town outside Scranton), of which they were active members. Alan’s father, Isadore “Izzy” Steckel (z”l), served as president of the congregation for some 55 years. We are affectionately calling the scroll the “Steckel Torah.”
The shul in Scranton has disbanded, and the Steckel family wishes for the Steckel Torah to be used and tended by an existing congregation with worship facilities, and for it to be available for any occasion and especially for Steckel family mitzvah celebrations.
And so on the morning of December 27, 2022, Alan and Fern brought the Steckel Torah to Beth Shalom to reside in the ark in the sanctuary, eagerly awaiting its next use.
Its fairly recent cover is dedicated in memory of Miriam Steckel (z”l), Alan’s mother.
Thank you, Alan. We look forward to much happy leyning!
