ABOUT TOWN BY MARK SNYDER: Digging Archeology, Fab Fall Fair, And More...

World Renowned Archeologist to speak in Stoughton: What happens when precious artifacts are buried in the midst of a war zone?  World-renowned Israeli archeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay will speak at Ahavath Torah Congregation on Monday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. as part of the Hausman Memorial Speaker Series. His topic will be "The Temple Mount Sifting Project: The Epicenter of the Arab-Israeli Conflict."

Dr. Barkay is the Director of the Temple Mount Sifting Project in Jerusalem.  Dr. Barkay graduated summa cum laude from Tel Aviv University with a Ph.D in archaeology in 1985 and has participated on various levels in numerous digs.  Dr. Barkay is the recipient of the 1996 Jerusalem Prize for Archaeological Research, and is a professor at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv. Amongst his discoveries are the Silver Scrolls, two silver amulets that contain the Priestly Benediction (Numbers 6:24-26), the earliest recorded biblical verses (dated to the late-7th century B.C. First Temple period) mentioning the name "YHWH." The amulets are the oldest Biblical inscriptions ever found, predating the Dead Sea Scrolls by at least 400 years, and the first mentioning the name of the LORD.

More recently, a 2,700-year-old clay seal was unearthed within the ancient City of David. Under Dr. Barkay's direction, an archaeological team at the Israel Excavation Society Sifting Project, sifted through the dig site's debris and discovered the now-famous "Bethlehem Seal" dated to the 7th century B.C.  Dr. Barkay was the first to translate the seal's significant three line inscription which says "In the 7th year, Bethlehem, for the king".

For further information, contact Rabbi Jonathan Hausman at Ahavath Torah Congregation, 781-344-8733 or via email at HMSpeakersseries@gmail.com.  A $10 minimum donation is suggested.  All funds collected will be donated to the Temple Mount Sifting Project. The Temple is located at 1179 Central Street in Stoughton. For more information, call the Temple office at 781-344-8733, contact the synagogue via email at office@atorah.org, visit their website at www.atorah.org, or follow it on Facebook.

STOUGHTON WOMEN'S CLUB HOSTS "FABULOUS FALL FAIR" on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the V.F.W. Post 1645, 837 Washington St., Stoughton.  It will be the fundraiser for Stoughton High School scholarships, Stoughton Community Events Committee, Fourth of July events, Veteran’s Administration Bingo Parties, O’Donnell Middle School Spelling Bee, One Fund Boston, Old Stoughton Music Society, Children’s Summer Reading Program and the Community Calendar. There will be face-painting, balloon animals, guessing games, cotton candy, baked goods, candy, crafts, hand knit goods, old jewelry, hand made goods, this n’ that, books, tapes, DVDs, attic treasures, vendors, raffle, silent auction and snack bar which includes chowder, hot dogs, sandwiches, pies, desserts and beverages for sale. A free door prize will be offered at the free event. For more information, call 781-344-5306.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: The Altar Guild at Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton St., Stoughton, is looking for volunteers to help on Saturdays, at 9 a.m. One does not need to be available every Saturday. For more information, call Father Joseph McDermott or Paula at the rectory at 781-344-2073.