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Congregation Beth Judea receives donation of Sefer Torah

Congregation Beth Judea, Long Grove, is honored to be receiving a new Sefer Torah, commissioned in Israel, donated to the synagogue by Jan Charman in honor of his recently deceased wife Estelle.

It will be dedicated May 17 at a synagogue ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brunch will be served and music will be provided by The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band.

Charman and his wife Estelle were both concentration camp survivors. Jan Charman was in Buchenwald and Dora and Estelle was in Parshnitz. After suffering through the Holocaust, they were lucky enough to meet in Germany and marry.

The Charmans emigrated to the United States in 1949, had three children, and now 11 grandchildren. Their marriage lasted 66 years and was filled with much love before Estelle passed from Alzheimer's.

Jan Charman grew up in a Hasidic family where religion had much meaning. When Estelle became ill he would sing to her every day, bring her to weekly Shabbat services and take care of her. This Sefer Torah represents the love they shared and will be used to celebrate future family events such as Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

This Sefer Torah was commissioned in Israel by Charman and has taken a year to write. The Torah mantle cover was created by Jeanette Kuvin Oren, who produced an original design that includes the words "In Loving memory of Estelle Charman, given by her devoted husband, Jan Israel Charman, 2015-5775."

Congregation Beth Judea is an egalitarian conservative synagogue at Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove.

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