JDC AND YESHIVA UNIVERSITY FIND NEW TORAH FOR DEVASTATED SYNAGOGUE IN INDIA

New Torah arrives in Panvel along with prayer books and copies of the Bible The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee recently coordinated the donation of a Torah, a supply of high holiday prayer books and copies of the Bible to a congregation in India, whose synagogue was flooded by eight feet of water last August. Jason Rosenberger of the Inwood Congregation in New York City donated the Torah after being contacted by staff at Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future.

After hearing of the devastation suffered by Beth El Synagogue in Panvel, a suburb of Mumbai in Western India, JDC staffer Lisa Feldman contacted Yeshiva. Within hours the Torah had been secured. JDC purchased the prayer books and Bibles at a discounted rate from Artscroll, a leading publisher of Jewish literature and texts. Beth El was established in 1849 and has been one of the most well-known synagogues in India. Representatives of JDC were present at Beth El when the Torah arrived just in time for Rosh HaShana. "It's important that Jewish communities all over the world know that they can turn to us in a pinch for whatever they need," said Judy Amit, JDC's country director for India. "We are fortunate that we have wonderful relationships with universities like Yeshiva and publishing houses like Artscroll. "Words can't describe mitzvah undertaken by Mr. Rosenberger and his congregation. The Jewish world is fortunate to have selfless and committed people like him."