Welcome to the Mitzvah613 Project

Welcome to the Mitzvah613 Project

Be Part of the Beth El Legacy

Every member of Beth El is welcome and encouraged to assist in writing our new Torah, regardless of your ability to donate to the project.  Don’t miss this opportunity to fulfill the 613th mitzvah of writing a letter in the Torah, which our congregation will use for generations to come.  

Click HERE to sign for up for Torah writing!
Click HERE to donate to Mitzvah613! (optional)

Follow these steps to make a dedication and donation

Step One:  Sign-up to Write a Letter
There is no financial requirement necessary to write a letter in the Torah. Our Sofer (scribe) is coming monthly through May 2023.  Dates are going fast so please sign-up soon.

Step Two: Determine Your Dedication (optional)
Choose one of the dedication opportunities listed under your giving level at the bottom of this page. Dedicate a single letter at $6.13, or choose something more personal, like your B’nai Mitzvah portion, a special verse, or even the High Holiday Torah cover, depending upon your level.  Once you find your dedication, please write it down, as you will need to enter it on the pledge card.  If you need help choosing a dedication, leave the space blank.  Our volunteers will be happy to assist you the day you are scheduled to scribe your letter.   You are also welcome to contact Judy Berkeley, at jberkeley@nssbethel.org, at the synagogue, for help in choosing the dedication. You may take up to five years to pay your pledge.

The following are the honors you will receive as a Visionary of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be elevated in recognition on the Donor Board
  • You will be named as Honorary Chairpersons of Mizvah 613
  • One of the Five Books of Moses will be dedicated in your name
  • Your family will receive a special Aliyah when the first Parsha in the book that you have dedicated is read for the first time
  • At the Mitzvah 613 Opening Ceremony, you will receive special recognition
  • You will be part of the Mitzvah 613 Closing Ceremonies with the Mitzvah 613 Torah
  • You will receive a full page in the 2023 Celebratory Ad Book
  • You will be invited to a celebratory dinner with Rabbi Schwab
  • You can dedicate any available part of the Torah or ritual adornment you like from any of the categories below

The following are the honors you will receive as a Chai Guardian of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be elevated in recognition on the Donor Board
  • A Parsha of the Torah will be dedicated in your name
  • Your family receive a special Aliyah when the first Parsha in the Book that you have dedicated is read for the first time
  • You will be part of the Mitzvah 613 Closing Ceremonies with the Mitzvah 613 Torah
  • You will receive a full page in the 2023 Celebratory Ad Book
  • You will be invited to a celebratory dinner with Rabbi Schwab
  • You can dedicate any available part of the Torah or ritual adornment you like from any of the categories below*

The following are the honors you will receive as a Guardian of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be elevated in recognition on the Donor Board
  • A Parsha of the Torah will be dedicated in your name
  • You will be part of the Mitzvah 613 Closing Ceremonies with the Mitzvah 613 Torah
  • You will receive a full page in the 2023 Celebratory Ad Book
  • You will be invited to a celebratory dinner with Rabbi Schwab
  • You can dedicate any available part of the Torah or ritual adornment you like from any of the categories below*

The following are the honors you will receive as a Scholar of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be elevated in recognition on the Donor Board
  • Instead of the above, you can dedicate any part of the Torah you like from any of the other lower categories

The following are the honors you will receive as a Champion of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be elevated in recognition on the Donor Board
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following:
    • Holiday Torah Readings
    • Birkat Cohanim (Priestly Blessings)
    • Shema
  • Instead of the above, you can dedicate any part of the Torah you like from any of the other lower categories

The following are the honors you will receive as a Leader of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be elevated in recognition on the Donor Board
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following:
    • First Word in the Torah (Book 1)
    • Last Word in Torah (Book 5)
    • Each of the Days of Creation
    • Shabbat Creation
  • Instead of the above, you can dedicate any part of the Torah you like from any of the other lower categories

The following are the honors you will receive as a Keeper of the Torah:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • Your name will be listed in recognition on the Donor Board
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following:
    • Sedra (Portion of the Week)*
      • Parshat Bereisheet
      • Parshat Noach
      • Parshat Lech Lecha
      • Parshat Vayeira
      • Parshat Chayei Sarah
      • Parshat Toldot
      • Parshat Vayeitzei
      • Parshat Vayishlach
      • Parshat Vayeishev
      • Parshat Mikeitz
      • Parshat Vayigash
      • Parshat Vayechi
      • Parshat Shemot
      • Parshat Va’eira
      • Parshat Bo
      • Parshat Beshalach
      • Parshat Yitro
      • Parshat Mishpatim
      • Parshat Terumah
      • Parshat Tetzaveh
      • Parshat Ki Tisa
      • Parshat Vayakhel
      • Parshat Pekudei
      • Parshat Vayikra
      • Parshat Tzav
      • Parshat Shemini
      • Parshat Tazria
      • Parshat Metzora
      • Parshat Acharei
      • Parshat Kedoshim
      • Parshat Emor
      • Parshat Behar
      • Parshat Bechukotai
      • Parshat Bamidbar
      • Parshat Naso
      • Parshat Behaalotecha
      • Parshat Shelach
      • Parshat Korach
      • Parshat Chukat
      • Parshat Balak
      • Parshat Pinchas
      • Parshat Matot
      • Parshat Masei
      • Parshat Devarim
      • Parshat Va’etchanan
      • Parshat Eikev
    • A Special Passage*
      • Shema Deuteronomy 6:4  
      • You Shall Love Your God Deuteronomy 6:5-24  
      • Ten Commandments   Exodus 20:1-18 or Deuteronomy 5:1-18
      • Let My People Go Exodus 5:1-11:10      
      • Miriam’s Song Exodus 15:1-21
      • Attributes of God Exodus 34:6-7
      • Dietary Laws Leviticus 11:1-23  
      • Dietary Laws Numbers 14:3-21  
      • The Golden Rule Leviticus 19:18         
      • Sabbatical Year Leviticus 25:2-7 
      • Jubilee Year Leviticus 25:8-55
      • Priestly Benediction Numbers 6:22-27
      • Reading on the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) Numbers 28:1-15
      • Vows Made by Women Numbers 30:4-17  
      • Moses’ Blessing Deuteronomy 31:1-29  
      • Justice, Justice Deuteronomy 16:20  
      • Rosh Hashanah, First Day Genesis 21:1-34 
      • Rosh Hashanah, Second Day Genesis 22:1-24 
      • Yom Kippur Morning Leviticus 16:1-34 
      • Yom Kippur Afternoon Leviticus 18:1-30 
      • Sukkot Leviticus 22:26-33 
      • Shemini Atzeret Deuteronomy 33:1-34, 12  
      • Pesach  First day Exodus 12:37-42, 13:3-10
      • Seventh Day Exodus 14:30-15:21
      • Shavout Exodus 19:1-8, 20:1-14
      • Last Word Yisrael
      • First Word B’reishit
    • A Large Letter*
      • [Hebrew Letter] Genesis 1:1  
      • [Hebrew Letter] Exodus 34:7  
      • [Hebrew Letter] Exodus 34:14  
      • [Hebrew Letter] Leviticus 11:42 
      • [Hebrew Letter] Leviticus 13:33
      • [Hebrew Letter] Numbers 14:18
      • [Hebrew Letter] Deuteronomy 6:4
      • [Hebrew Letter] Deuteronomy 6:4 
      • [Hebrew Letter] Deuteronomy 29:27
    • A Biblical Story*
      • Seven Days of Creation Genesis 1:1-2:3  
      • Creation of Adam and Eve Genesis 2:4-25  
      • Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-26           
      • Noah’s Ark Genesis 5:29-8:14
      • Rainbow Covenant Genesis 9:8-17
      • Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9
      • Call to Abraham Genesis 12:1-9
      • Covenant of Circumcision Genesis 17:1-27
      • Abraham’s Hospitality Genesis 18:1-15  
      • Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18:16-19:38  
      • Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac Genesis 22:1-24  
      • Rebecca at the Well Genesis 24:1-25:18  
      • Life of Isaac Genesis 26:1-35     
      • Esau and Jacob Genesis 25:19-28:9
      • Jacob’s Dream Genesis 28:10-22
      • Jacob, Leah and Rachel in Haran Genesis 29:1-32:3  
      • Jacob Becomes Israel Genesis 32:4-33:17  
      • Young Joseph Genesis 37:1-36 
      • Tamar Genesis 38:1-30  
      • Joseph in Egypt Genesis 39:42:5  
      • Joseph and His Brothers in Egypt Genesis 42:6-47:27 
      • Blessing of Ephraim & Menasha Genesis  47:28-48:22  
      • Jacob’s Testament Genesis 49:1-27     
      • Shifrah and Puah Exodus 1:15-22
      • Birth of Moses Exodus 2:1-9 
      • Moses Flees Egypt Exodus 2:10-25     
      • The Burning Bush Exodus 3:1-4:17
      • Miracles of the Ten Plagues Exodus 7:14-11:10 and 12:29  
      • Fleeing Egypt Exodus 13:17-14:14   
      • Parting the Sea Exodus 14:15-21
      • Israelites Begin in the Wilderness Exodus 15:22-18:12  
      • Moses Selects Judges Exodus 18:13-27  
      • At Sinai Exodus 19:1-25  
      • The Golden Calf Exodus 32:1-33:6 
      • Building the Tabernacle Exodus 35:1-40:38  
      • Moses and the Ten Commandments Exodus 33:7-34:35  
      • Tzelophchad’s Daughters Numbers 27:1-11 
      • Cities of Refuge Numbers 35:1-34 
      • Moses Appoints Joshua the Leader Deuteronomy 31:1-8  
      • Moses Blesses the Israelites Deuteronomy 33:1-29
    • A Mezuzah for an Important Entry Door
      • Office entrance outside door
      • School entrance outside door
    • Holiday Maftir
    • Song of the Sea – The Shira
    • Matriarch or Patriarch’s Name
    • First Letter in the Torah (Book 1)
    • Last Letter in the Torah (Book 5)

The following are the honors you will receive as a Friend of the Torah:

  • You family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following for $1,800-$4,999:
    • Aliyot
    • First Sentence in Torah Books 2-5
    • Last Sentence in Torah Books 1-4
    • Middle Word of the Torah
    • A Chapter
    • A Maftir
    • A Holiday Aliyot
    • A Column
    • One of the Individual Commandments
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following for $613-$1,799:
    • First Word in Books 2-5
    • Last Word in Books 1-4
    • A Miscellaneous Commandment
    • A Personalized Verse – Gamatria
    • A Mezuzah for Beth El (Most Inside Doors)
      • Door on side of sanctuary
      • Door leading to Paset Lounge
      • Door to infant room
      • Door to youth lounge
      • Door to South wing from Blumberg
      • Door to kitchen
      • Door to Kaye Reading Room
      • Door to children’s reading room
      • Door to main office
      • Office entrance inside door
      • Door to Natkin
      • Door to GB

The following are the honors you will receive as a L’Dor Va’Dor Supporter:

  • Your family will be able to inscribe a letter in the Torah (with the help of the Sofer)
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following for $540-$612:
    • A significant Verse with Meanings*
      • Genesis                
        • Noah Sends Forth a Dove  8:8–12
        • Covenant of the Rainbow  9:13–17
        • Abraham’s Covenant of the Pieces  15:8–18
        • Abraham’s Covenant of Circumcision 17:9–12
        • Birth of Isaac  21:1–8
        • Abraham Buys the Burial Place for Sara  23:1–20
        • Marriage of Isaac & Rivka  24:63–67
        • Jacob Receives the Blessing of the First Born  27:1–29 
        • Jacob Meets Rachel and the Well  29:1-11
        • Jacob Wrestles with the Angel  32:25-33
        • Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors  37:3
        • Joseph’s Dreams  37:5-10
        • Joseph Interprets the Chief Butler’s & Baker’s Dreams  40:9-20
        • Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams  41:15-32
        • Joseph Appointed Ruler of Egypt by Pharaoh  41:38-44
        • Joseph Reunited with His Brothers  45:1-10
      • Exodus                                                                                                                                                    
        • Moses at the Burning Bush  3:1-9
        • G-d Sends Moses to Deliver the Jews from Bondage  3:10-18
        • Moses & Aaron Perform Miracles Before Pharaoh  7:10-15
        • The Commandment Of Passover  12:1-20
        • The Passing-Over The Houses Of The Jews In Egypt  12:21-28
        • Splitting Of The Red Sea  14:21-31
        • The Giving Of Manna  16:14-22,31-36
        • Moses Strikes The Rock  17:3-7
        • The Commandment To Destroy Amalek (Evil)  17:8-16
        • A Chosen Nation, A Kingdom Of Priests And A Holy Nation  18:5-6
        • Sounding Of The Great Shofar On Mount Sinai  19:16-19
        • Care For The Widow And Orphan  22:21-22
        • Truth In Justice  23:1-9
        • The Three Annual Pilgrim Festivals  23:14-18
        • Don’t Mix Milk And Meat  23:19
        • Moses On Mount Sinai For Forty Days And Nights  24:12-18
        • The Materials To Craft The Tabernacles  25:1-8
        • Crafting The Holy Ark And The Cherubim  25:10-22
        • Crafting The Menorah  25:31-40
        • Crafting The Altar  27:1-8
        • Crafting The Breastplate Of The High Priest  28:15-21
        • Urim And Tumim  28,29,30
        • Anointing Oil  30:22-23
        • Holy Incense  30:34-38
        • Keeping The Sabbath  31:16-17
        • Tablets Written With The Finger Of G-D  31:18
        • Land Of Milk And Honey 33:3
        • Moses Writes The Second Tablets On Mount Sinai  34:27-28
        • Moses’ Faces Shines With Rays Of Light  34:29-35
        • Cloud Of Glory Rests On The Tabernacle (Mishkan) 40:34-38
      • Leviticus                                                                                                                                                 
        • A Perpetual Fire On The Altar  6:5-6
        • An Offering Of Peace And Thanksgiving  7:11-13
        • Eating Kosher Meat  9:2-4
        • Eating Kosher Fish  9:9-12
        • The Kohain As Doctor Of Pure And Impure  13:1-6
        • High Priest Prepares For Yom HaKippur  16:1-4
        • Yom Kippur Lottery  16:5-10
        • Koshering Meat  17:10-14
        • Acts Of Righteousness Toward Our Fellowmen  19:11-16
        • Honesty In Weights, Measures & Moral Social Behavior  19:32-37
        • The Jubilee Year  25:8-55
        • Proclaim Liberty Throughout The Land  25:10
        • Blessings For Walking In Holiness  26:1-13
        • Reading For Holiday Of Succoth  22:26, 23:44          
      • Numbers                                                                                                                                                
        • Census Of Israel After Leaving Egypt  1:1-46
        • Sanctification And Duties Of The Levites  3:5-13
        • Lighting Of The Menorah  8:1-4
        • The Second Passover  9:1-14
        • The Fiery Cloud (Divine Presence) Upon The Tabernacle  9:15-23
        • The Silver Trumpets (Clarions)  10:1-10
        • Moses The Most Humblest – G-D Speaks Mouth To Mouth  12:3-8
        • Tzitzit  15:37-41
        • The Earth Swallows Korach  16:28-33
        • The Red Heifer To Purified The Defied  19:1-10
        • The Brazen Serpent – Sign For Healing  21:5-9
        • Balaam’s Talking Donkey  22:21-35
        • How G-Dly Are Your Tents, Jacob, Your Dwellings, Israel  24:5
        • The Covenant Of Peace With Pinchas  25:6-13
        • Census Of Israel Before Entering Israel  26:1-51
        • Moses Passes The Leadership To Joshua  27:16-23
        • The Sacredness Of Vows  30:3
        • Boundaries Of The Land Of Israel  34:1-29          
      • Deuteronomy                                                                                                                                       
        • The Character Of Jewish Leadership  1:13-17
        • Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone  8:3
        • The Seven Special Fruits Of The Holy Land  8:7-10
        • Only What Does G-D Ask Of Us  10:12-15
        • The Eyes of G-D Are Always on the Land of Israel  11:12
        • Tefillin  11:18-19
        • Mezuzot  11:20-21
        • The Blessing and the Curse  11:26-29
        • Open Your Hand To Your Son & Needy Brother  15:11
        • Justice, Justice You Shall Follow in Order to Live  16:20
        • Judges In All Your Cities  16:18
        • Don’t Take Bribes  16:19
        • Jewish Supreme Court  17:8-13
        • The Jewish King  17:14-20
        • The Jewish Prophet  18:14-22
        • Jewish Criminal Laws  19:2-13
        • Witnesses  19:15-19
        • Laws of Warfare  20:1-20
        • Laws of Kindness  21:22-22:4
        • Laws of Equality And Humanity  24:5-25:3
        • Generosity To The Landless  24:19-23
        • Kindness To Animals  25:4
        • Giving Of The First Fruits  26:1-11
        • I Have Set Before You Today Life & Good – Choose Life  30:15-19
        • Love The Lord Your G-D  30:20
        • Moses Teaches The Jews To Sing!  31:30-32:43
        • Singing This Song Keeps Us In Israel  32:44-47
        • The Last Three Verses  34:10-12
  • You can choose to dedicate one of the following for $180-$539:
    • A Verse
    • A Mitzvah
    • Any Name in the Torah (other than Matriarchs and Patriarchs)
    • Any Word (Milah) in the Torah

How Your Donation Will Be Used

Proceeds from Mitzvah 613 will be used to fund the new Torah, help grow our Ritual Fund, and completely renovate and enhance our Education Wing. This will ensure that Beth El remains a thriving center of worship and community of lifelong learners for years to come.

Education Wing Capital Improvements
We will soon share our plans to completely renovate our Education Wing. Our plan is to modernize and better secure the school’s entryway and remodel all classrooms, hallways, offices, and bathrooms. Each classroom will receive state-of-the-art technology including Smart Boards, computers, video conferencing and new furniture to enhance group learning and participation. Our goal is to ensure that our education wing remains an appealing and attractive place for children and adult learners of all ages and for generations to come.

Ritual Fund
The Ritual Fund will be used for Torah refurbishments and maintenance, as well as the purchase of various ritual items which are meaningful to the congregation. This includes items such as Siddurim, upgraded Yahrzeit boards, an Omer counter and page number boards for the Sager Beit Midrash.