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In November 2007, the process of fulfilling one of the most celebrated -- and difficult -- mitzvot began when a scribe's pen first touched the parchment of what was to be a new community Torah scroll for the Chabad of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Union Counties.

But for the community, having taken to heart the Judaic precept of hakarat hatov -- showing appreciation -- that process didn't end with the completion of the Torah, but rather culminated June 4 at the Chabad annual dinner as the couple responsible for the new Torah, Florence and Stanlee Kissel, were honored, along with founding members Marsha Nagelberg and Dr. Harvey Gerhard.

At Chabad, Stanlee Kissel said, "we found a welcoming and loving extended family that made us feel comfortable, and when we needed it, you were very supportive and caring. You were on our side, and it is very much appreciated."

In March 2007, the Kissels' son, Marc, lost his battle with cancer. He was 43. Chabad Director Rabbi Mendy Herson said Stanlee told him he wanted to do something positive with the pain of the experience.

"I don't want to do a mitzvah for myself," Stanlee had told Herson. "It has to be something that engages people."

Herson said Stanlee insisted the mitzvah be something that creates positive energy. When word got out about the decision to sponsor the writing of a Torah scroll, Herson said, Chabad centers all over the country called him to find out how it all came about. It was clear, Herson said, that the Kissels' decision to write the Torah had created that positive energy, not only at home, but far and wide.

Stanlee said his mother was Somerset County's first March of Dimes chair, which taught him at a young age that the key to philanthropic success is everyone giving according to his means. He said even during a recession, the community should dig deep so that the Chabad can continue its valuable programs.

"Chabad is unique, in that it's an Orthodox Jewish organization that accepts all of us, no matter how much of the program we embrace," he said.

Florence Kissel said that when she and Stanlee were first invited to the Chabad, she had a feeling they would be comfortable there. She soon became involved in women's classes at Chabad, and the socializing has added to the richness of their experience.

"The more we participate, the more we feel at home," Florence said.

Florence said they have always worked to infuse their lives with Judaism, and that has been nurtured at the Chabad center.

"The Chabad family, virtually strangers in our time of need, gave us the loving support and friendship for which Stan and I are eternally grateful," she said. "And to repay [Herson's] kindness, we felt we had an obligation to do something very special to show the community our appreciation."

Herson said when the Chabad center was first starting out, they were told by the bank that they would have to wait three months to get the bridge loan they needed to buy the property for the Chabad center. In the interim, they needed $160,000. This came up one morning in conversation with Marsha Nagelberg.

"At that point, Marsha took out her checkbook, and said 'Here's $160,000. Give it back to me when you can.' And that is how we got our property," Herson said.

Herson's father, Moshe Herson, is the dean of the Rabbinical College of America, in Morristown, which serves as a yeshiva and Chabad's state headquarters. He also attended the dinner, and spoke of Nagelberg's loan and its renewed purpose, compounded each year by the work it has enabled.

"We do live in a world where there is time and space," Moshe Herson said. "In time and space, this was 17 years ago. But in heaven, there is no time and space. There, it is recorded as if you did it today."

Nagelberg said her interaction with Chabad dates back to her days as a graduate student at New York University, in whose neighborhood the Chabad's "Mitzvahmobile" would often dock. Years later, she met Mendy Herson and started a study group at her home led by Mendy's wife, Malkie Herson, who is the center's educational director.

"My soul and my heart are nourished here," Nagelberg said.

Gerhard began by reading a Hebrew poem that translates to: "People worry about wasting money, and don't worry about wasting time. Money doesn't matter, and time never comes back."

Gerhard said that with a community's investment in an institution like Chabad, it can buy the future.

"I think that what we're putting into this Chabad movement is phenomenal, and that money, time, effort we invest now are going to come back dramatically well in the future," he said.

Zitta Baker attended the dinner because of her friendship with the Kissels, which came about through her participation in the Chabad center's programs and services.

"They're very special people and they're being honored tonight, so we definitely would not have missed it," Baker told The Jewish State. "They're a joy to know and an honor."