Jewish Milestones

Planning a Jewish celebration? The JCCSF’s Jewish Milestones: Lending & Resources is here to help make your special moments meaningful and stress-free. We offer free rentals of sacred Jewish items like Torah scrolls and beautiful chuppahs to bring Jewish tradition to life on your big day. From weddings and baby namings to bar/bat mitzvahs, holiday celebrations and Jewish conversion ceremonies, we have the resources you need to create an authentic, personal experience.  Whether you’re honoring a tradition or starting a new one, we’re proud to be part of your Jewish journey. 

All items are available to borrow at no cost. While rentals are free, we would appreciate a donation to help us continue to grow this valuable Jewish ritual resource for the entire community.

For more information, to reserve items or to make a donation, please email [email protected].

Resources: 

Our Torahs: 

The Torah is a central and sacred text in Judaism. During the coming-of-age ceremony, a bar or bat mitzvah reads a portion of Torah aloud as a rite of passage. Each Torah kit includes: 

The Yad: A yad is a special pointer used when chanting from the Torah, often shaped like a hand with an outstretched finger. During a bar or bat mitzvah, the reader uses the yad to follow the Hebrew text without touching the sacred scroll, helping preserve its delicate parchment. 

Sefer Torah: The Sefer Torah, or Torah scroll, is a parchment containing the Five Books of Moses. It is hand written by a specially trained scribe. The Torah is read or chanted aloud during religious services, and is treated with great care and reverence as one of the most sacred objects in Jewish tradition. 

Torah Cover: The Torah cover, or mantel, is a decorative fabric covering used to protect and honor the Torah scroll when it is not being read. Often beautifully embroidered, the mantel reflects the Torah’s sacredness and helps preserve the scroll from dust and damage. 

Ark: The Ark, or Aron Kodesh, is the special cabinet or space where the Torah scrolls are kept when not in use. Often a focal point of the synagogue, the Ark symbolizes a holy space and is treated with deep respect. 

Tallit: A tallit is a prayer shawl traditionally worn during Jewish prayer services, and often donned at a bar or bat mitzvah. It has fringes called tzitzit on each of its four corners, reminding the wearer of the holy commandments and their own connection to Jewish tradition. 

The Meckler Torah and Gould Ark: 

The Gould Ark is 18” (length) x 18” (width) x 45” (height), with a Base Table of 18” (length) x 18” (width) x 18” (height)  

The Friend Torah and Gruss Ark: 

The Gruss Ark is 14″.5 (width) x 41″ (height) x 14″ (depth), with a Base Table of 16″ (width) x 31″ (height) x 15″ (depth) 

 Our Chuppahs: 

A chuppah is a wedding canopy that symbolizes the couple’s new home, among other interpretations. The Jewish wedding ceremony typically takes place beneath this canopy, which is a sign of openness, shelter, and a delineation between the outside world and the new inner world of marriage. 

Free Standing Chuppah: 

The free-standing Chuppah comes with sturdy bases that allow the metal poles to stand on their own without additional support. Sheer fabric panels are provided to drape over the Huppah, creating a soft, elegant canopy. 

Hand-Held Chuppah: 

The Hand-Held Chuppah is supported by four wooden poles, each held upright by a person throughout the ceremony. It requires four people to stand at the corners, holding the poles steady while the couple stands beneath the canopy. 

Instructional Videos