How a Connecticut Torah scroll traveled 50 years, and thousands of miles, to make aliyah - opinion

Social media's power to connect people across distances and time has been highlighted by the journey of a Torah scroll from Connecticut to Israel. Temple Beth Tefilah in East Hartford, Connecticut, was closing due to its congregation's relocation, leaving its Torah scrolls in search of a new home.

One particular Torah scroll, inscribed in memory of Avi Seth, the four-year-old son of a former rabbi, needed to be rehomed. The congregants sought to find Rabbi Michael Laxmeter, the scroll's owner, but struggled to locate him despite his unusual last name. Jenny Markiewicz Rabinowitz, an active member of the synagogue, turned to Facebook for assistance.

Through Facebook, Rabinowitz successfully located Rabbi Laxmeter. She then reached out to the author of the article, who was a Facebook friend of the rabbi and confirmed his identity. This connection, forged through social media, allowed the synagogue to reconnect with Rabbi Laxmeter, who had since retired and moved to Las Vegas. The article emphasizes the serendipitous nature of this reunion, noting that both Rabinowitz and the author shared a hometown and had personal connections to Rabbi Laxmeter, underscoring the far-reaching impact of community and shared history.