Letter to the Editor: Michael Alon

For the past 70 years, I had the privilege to serve as a Torah Reader. Although I have read Torah for many years, I still look forward to every opportunity to read with excitement. Every time I read Torah all over the world, I enjoy the compliments I receive about my unique reading style.

I am very proud to have served as Torah Reader for 12 years at Ahavath Achim which was the largest conservative synagogue in Atlanta at the time.

In 1984, B’nai Torah asked me to serve as the official Baal Koreh. From 1984 to 2004, I read Torah with all the duties and responsibilities of a Baal Koreh. I read every Shabbat and Festival including reading Shir Hashirim, Ruth, Kohelet and Megillat Esther. When there was a bar or bat mitzvah and the teen would read a portion, I would read all other portions. I had excellent relationships with all rabbis who served from 1984 to 2004.

In 2004, the rabbi limited my reading to the extent that I was not given the opportunity to perform the duties that a Baal Koreh should perform when I was in town and available. It made me feel embarrassed and insulted when I was sometimes informed that I was not needed for five weeks. During 2025, I was only allowed to read 10 times. It is upsetting when a bar or bat mitzvah reads a short portion, then the rabbi takes over and reads very fast without the trope. In a similar circumstance, the Baal Koreh would be reading the other portions. In my opinion, many people are unable to follow when other people read Torah due to the speed.

I travel often. However, even when I am in town, the rabbi will only occasionally ask me to read Torah. This occurs on Shabbats with or without a bar or bat mitzvah.

At 88 years old, I still enjoy reading Torah and want to do so as often as possible. The current practice of reading Torah only occasionally has had a detrimental effect on my health. Therefore, I had no choice but to resign as the Torah Reader.

Sincerely,

Michael Alon, Atlanta, Ga.