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Custodianship>Introduction
Our work as custodian
In many ways, the JHFNC has become the guardian of the collective memory of North Carolina’s Jewish communities. Part of this mission is to serve as custodian for prayer books, ritual objects, and sanctuary furnishings that might end up forgotten in someone's attic or, worse, be relegated to a dumpster.
Through the work of Len Rogoff, our historian, we have saved prayer books brought by immigrants from Moscow and Warsaw, worked with communities to preserve their synagogues and historic sites. We have rescued prayer books and other sacred objects from rural North Carolina congregations that have been forced to close their doors, including Weldon, Wilson, and Lumberton. We have recently been given a Shabbat lamp brought from Germany by the grandfather of Lucy Goldsmith Parish from Mount Airy, now in her 80s.
Should you know of important Jewish books, ritual objects, or other artifacts that might be entrusted to our care, please see the guidelines page.
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Havurat Tikvah gets its Chumashim
As part of our mission to serve North Carolina’s diverse Jewish communities the JHFNC has become a resource to help support contact and communication between all of our state’s Jewish congregations-- both new and established. In a custodianship role, we serve our mission by becoming a repository for prayer books, ritual objects, and sanctuary furnishings that might otherwise be forgotten in someone's attic or, worse, end up in a dumpster. Another part of our role is in helping congregations, especially newly forming ones, to locate and obtain prayer books and other sanctuary items.
Recently Elaine Millen of Havurat Tikvah, a newly formed Reconstructionist Congregation located in Charlotte, contacted Will Grossman, JHFNC Operations Director, asking for help to expand their set of chumashim. Will sent an email message out to the JHFNC’s statewide congregational database asking if any synagogues had extra copies that they might be willing to share.
We recently received this message from Elaine Millen,“Wanted to tell you that our congregation was able to secure the required number of Chumashim that we were looking for in terrific order from the shul (Beth Israel) in Asheville that you recommended to us. Although it took longer than we had hoped in getting them, we were, nonetheless, thrilled that they were able to accommodate us and in such a thoughtful manner. We waited patiently while they became accustomed to their new Chumashim before they were ready to turn loose of the older ones. We knew that when the time was right, it would be bashert. Thanks again for being that go-to person who helps so many of us achieve our goals and sustains our organizations/shuls, etc.” Fostering connections to support North Carolina’s expanding Jewish communities is an important and very rewarding part of what the JHFNC is all about.
Please feel free to contact us with your needs or concerns, we’ll try and help.
Will Grossman can be reached at (919) 668-5839 or
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In the autumn of 2004, Temple Emanu-El in Weldon, NC,closed its doors, entrusting its precious Torah scrolls and other Judaica to the JHFNC for conservation. The Weldon Torah now has a new home at Havurat Olam, Cabarrus County’s first Jewish congregation, where it is on permanent loan from the JHFNC.
At the ceremony marking the transfer, Harry Kittner (center) holds the scroll. Brian Cutler president of Havurat Olam is on the left; JHFNC President, Henry Greene is on the right.
Havurat Tikvah's wonderful
Simchat Torah celebration
Havurat Tikvah in Charlotte celebrated their newly repaired torah during Simchat Torah. Rabbi Kevin Hale, the torah scribe was there to join in the celebration and dedication of the new torah. Debbie Langsam, an artist whose work appeared at the last Rosenzweig Gallery juried art show, and other member of the havurah created the cover for the new torah. Rabbi Hale comes highly recommended by the havurah for his skill at repairing the torah, so any congregation that is looking for a scribe can contact us and we will make certain that information will be passed on to him. The torah dedication remarks can be accessed here.
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