BROOKLYN, NY – Sunday, February 19, 2006
Hundreds gathered at a gala procession to escort the newly completed Sefer Torah scroll which will be used for services at America’s first Russian Synagogue at FREE Headquarters.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented FREE with a Proclamation, prior to the event, proclaiming: Sunday, February 19th, 2006 “Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe, Sefer Torah Completion Celebration Day, in Brooklyn, USA”.
Amongst the prominent members in attendance were Rabbi David B. Hollander, a long time rabbinic activist and senior member of FREE’s Rabbinical Council, noted the great self sacrifice of the Safaniev family who dedicated this Torah scroll in memory of their late father, Ravchida ben Gilad Safaniev, of blessed memory.
Also in attendance were Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff and Cantor Moshe Weiss, of the Atlantic Beach Jewish Center, who were each privileged to carry the Sefer Torah under an ornate bridal canopy.
Those in attendance who witnessed as the scribe completed the letters of the Torah’s final verse, realized how fortunate they are to welcome this new Torah Scroll–the latest link in a holy, eternal chain, explains Rabbi David Okunov FREE’s Associate Program Director and the events coordinator.
This event was indeed a major Kiddush Hashem, an event sanctifying G-d and the Jewish people. The Torahs were carried under a canopy, to torches, song, Russian dances, banners and live music.
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