Traveling Torah recognizes Montreal-New York link

Traveling Torah recognizes Montreal-New York link MONTREAL — Albany, N.Y., situated midway between Montreal and New York City, is a frequent stopover for people driving between the two cities. Israeli Consul General Joel Lion, right, receives Rabbi Israel Rubin at the Montreal consulate. Jewish motorists frequently go to the Maimonides Hebrew Day School in Albany when they want to daven, celebrate a holiday, have a minyan to say Kaddish, or just make contact with the community. They have always found a warm reception there. In recognition of this long-standing connection, Rabbi Israel Rubin, dean of the Maimonides, has initiated the 15/87 Thruway Traveller’s Torah project. When it crosses the border, Quebec’s Autoroute 15 becomes U.S. Interstate 87, the main route to New York City. Rabbi Rubin was in Montreal last week to accept Israeli Consul General Joel Lion’s endorsement of the writing of this Torah. Rabbi Rubin met Lion, who arrived in Montreal in August, when he was a consul in New York and visited Albany. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has already issued a proclamation hailing the project and congratulating Maimonides for its year-round hospitality to travellers. The school has about 100 students. The citation notes that “the warmth and hospitality by the Maimonides School on Partridge Avenue has been compared to the legendary European roadside inns, where weary travellers could find refreshment and rest from their long journeys.” The Torah will be used not only in Albany, but also in Lake George, Saratoga and other Adirondack resorts that do not have a synagogue or Torah of their own, Rabbi Rubin said. It is being sponsored by private donations, mostly from grateful travellers through the area, and is to be dedicated Dec. 21 at Maimonides, during Chanukah. For more information on the project, contact Rabbi Rubin at maimonidesschool@gmail.com

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