When Temple Sinai in Oakland dedicated a new Torah scroll two weeks ago, it did so with the help of a yad, or pointer, commissioned for the occasion. Congregant Laurie Leiber noted that while most Torah pointers are made of metal (usually silver) or olive wood from Israel, “inasmuch as we are an Oakland congregation, we thought it would be appropriate to have a yad made of oak.” Created by local wood sculptor Sheri Tharp, the oaken yad handle culminates in the crown of a tree, while the hand with extended index finger is made of tagua nut. The Torah was dedicated on Jan. 29.

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