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Dear All, Please permit me to share something wonderful with you. I'm sure you'll all understand my excitement and enthusiasm. For the last several years, I have used tiny stuffed torahs for the Tot Shabbat service that I lead in Worcester, MA. They were stored in a small, cardboard box that was painted and decorated with stickers by the Tot Shabbat kids. Last spring, I began investigating the possibility of having a small ark built to house the tiny stuffed torahs. I thought about calling the local technical high school, but really wanted to use the talents of someone closer to home, so to speak. When I brought up the idea at the May Tot Shabbat service, a parent who is an amateur carpenter volunteered his skills. Actually, his wife volunteered her husband's skills! After meeting with him to discuss what I had in mind, I left the design and creation in his hands. I did give him some small woven baskets that I'd purchased at a local crafts store and explained that I'd hoped the baskets would be used to hold the tiny torahs. In September, he called to tell me that the ark was almost completed. At the next Tot Shabbat service, I asked the parents if they knew anyone with artistic talents who would be willing and able to paint the doors of the ark. Once again, a Tot Shabbat parent who is a professional artist volunteered her skills. WOW! Explaining that I wanted animals and a tree to be included in the painting, and a hebrew phrase incorporated as well, I left her to her own devices. The only other input she got was at the October Tot Shabbat service. She asked the children what animals they would like to see included in the painting. Meanwhile, I had emailed this list asking for hebrew phrases that had something to do with music. I received many replies for which I am very grateful. Several Friday nights ago, the carpenter and artist brought their families to our home for Shabbat dinner. They also brought the completed ark, which I saw for the first time! I was thrilled and delighted beyond my dreams. It was the culmination of something that I had just thought about last spring, and here it was, a beautiful piece of art and woodwork and furniture designed and built to honor the tiny torahs we use during Tot Shabbat. After dinner, we attended family services at the temple at which Tot Shabbat is held. The rabbi included a lovely dedication ceremony for the ark. I have included pictures of the ark in this email. I included a picture of me standing next to it so that you could get an idea of its' size. You'll notice that on the opened ark doors, the artist painted a lovely surprise. It is just amazing what can happen when you dream....... B'shalom, Ellen ---- Peter & Ellen Allard Specializing in Music for Young Children *********************** For information on our award-winning recordings, children's concerts, and teacher workshops, visit http://www.PeterandEllen.com or call tollfree 1-888-746-4481
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