Chatan Torah and Kalah Bereshit 5785 / 2024
Chatan Torah and Kalah Bereshit are two honors to individuals who give above and beyond to the ritual life of our synagogue! Thank you for ALL that you do!
“Chatan Torah” (groom of the Torah) is called to the Torah with a beautiful chant, describing his greatness in glowing (occasionally, slightly exaggerated) terms, and is given the honor of reciting the blessing over the last section of the Torah to be read in the current year, which is the conclusion of Moses’ address to the Jewish People.
Who is the “Kalah Bereshit” and What do they do?
The “Kalah Bereshit” (bride of the (Beginning of the),” also a great honor, is called to the Torah with a similar introduction as that which introduced the Chatan Torah. She is given the honor of reciting the blessing over the beginning of the Torah, the story of creation, including the sanctification of Shabbat.
Our Chatan Torah: Boaz Munro
Boaz originally hails from Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, where he attended “Beth Shalom East” — for a time, alongside Rabbi Russell and David! He moved to San Francisco in 2015 after his wife, Emily, started her residency at UCSF. He is a frequent Torah reader at Beth Sholom, and has also spoken at Jews for Hot Cocoa and Lunch and Learns about antisemitism, Israel, and his grandparents' (z"l) experiences during the Shoah. Boaz's older daughter Flory can often be seen greeting congregants in the main sanctuary, and playing instruments at Tot Shabbat, and her sister Jane is eager to follow in her footsteps.
Beth Sholom honors Boaz this year for being a dedicated Torah reader and teacher in our community, and for being a welcome presence with his family in Tot Shabbat, our sanctuary and wherever he is needed. Yasher Koach and thank you Boaz!
Our Kalah Bereshit: Marty Edelson
Thank you, Rabbi Russell and David Bayer, for this meaningful honor! Bob and I moved to SF 45 years ago, and from our first Shabbos visit we knew Beth Sholom would be our “home.” We have celebrated simchas here (including our daughter Gena’s naming and Bat Mitzvah), attended Shabbos and holiday services, classes, galas, and more, shared remembrances, and have been supported and comforted at times of illness and sorrow with the passing of our parents. Many years ago, I had the honor of being a “greeter” in-person and during the past years since the start of Pandemic I have had the honor of being a “greeter” on Zoom. The Zoom/Hybrid Morning Minyanim happen almost daily in our home, and I have been able to “Make new friends and keep the old” from the Bay Area and beyond.
We want to thank the Rabbis, Lay Leaders, Zoom Helpers, Minyanaires, Board Members, Administration, Facilities, Staff, and all of the Beth Sholom Family for the beautiful and meaningful times we have shared over the years. We are blessed with you all! Bob, Gena, Mikey, and I wish you all a healthy, happy, peaceful and sweet New Year! L’Shalom, U’Vracha, V’Ahava.
Beth Sholom honors Marty for her dedication to our Zoom minyan, where she not only admits people on Zoom every day, but welcomes them and makes them feel a part of our online community. Marty follows up with emails after learning sessions to distribute our source sheets and never misses anyone on her Mi Sheberach list. Yishar kochech and thank you Marty!!