TORONTO — Joe Black, 87, has always had a mission in life – to help others. And now he is asking for help himself.

For more than 20 years, Black and other volunteers have conducted Shabbat services in English and Hebrew for the residents of two Toronto-area retirement homes, Cummer Lodge and Valley View Residence, alternating between the two.

Black told The CJN that Cummer Lodge has a Torah, but the volunteers need a Torah for Valley View Residence.

 “The residents get a great deal of joy when we conduct the services, as many are in wheelchairs. They light up when we carry the Torah around to them and they can touch it and kiss it.”

Black, now a “sort of retired” photographer, was well-known for generations at Graphic Artists.

He was the official photographer for the National Hockey League, Canadian Football League and many corporate and private events. He lectures at the Bernard Betel Centre, has a very large library of Jewish films and still does photography.

Over the years, Black said, the group has had Torahs on loan, adding: “Many years ago, we purchased one Torah from California for the Cummer Lodge. At that time, the volunteers were capable of having a fundraising event. We are too old now to organize such an event to purchase another Torah.”

He said the volunteers would like to have one donated or loaned to Valley View Residence, and he hopes there is a Torah somewhere that’s not being used.

 “Along with our Shabbat services,” he said, “we have a sing-along after the service and a 90-year-old lady plays the piano. The residents love the Yiddish, freilech music.”

But having a Torah could make it even more enjoyable for the participants at Valley View Residence.

“There may even be a Torah that is not kosher, which we could use, since the service is not read from the Torah.”

Black and his son Martin built an Aron Kodesh for both Cummer Lodge and Valley View Residence.

If you have or know of an extra Torah that is not being used, please contact Joe Black at 647-342-5929.