The month of Adar I started off on the right foot for the Chabad of Fort Lauderdale community, led by Rabbi Moishe Meir Lipszyc, with a grand siyum and hachnosas Sefer Torah.
A siyum and hachnosas Sefer Torah was held at Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Rosh Chodesh Adar Alef, dedicated in honor of a pillar of the community, Blima (Bernice) Smilowitz, O.B.M. a woman who gave of herself more than would have seemed possible.
Over two hundred and fifty people attended, including many Rabbis donors and Shluchim, who flew in from various parts of the world for this special occasion. Her invaluable contribution to Yiddishkeit around the world was of a true Aishes Chayil.
The Torah dedication procession began at the Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale social hall, where a VIP Dinner was held for community members that helped in this celebration.
At the dinner, Shliach Rabbi Moishe Meir Lipszyc Director of Chabad Lubavitch Fort Lauderdale pointed out that we are just beginning the Month of Adar, when we must increase in happiness, and even more so as this year we have 60 days. What better way to start off, than by celebrating the completion of a new Sefer Torah!
Following the dinner, and the completion of the last letters, the ceremony began, the community, and participants had the honor of writing the last letters, where Hors d’oeuvres were served, and everyone had the opportunity to make a L’chaim at the open bar.
The Torah was completed by Sofer/Shliach Rabbi Yochanon Klein, son of Sofer Rabbi Moishe Klein who had the Torah written for the community in Eretz Yisroel.
After the last letters were filled in, the men, women, and children, accompanied by live music, joyously walked the Sefer Torah under a Chuppah to Chabad Lubavitch Shul. The new Torah was greeted by the 12 other Sefer Torahs, and together they joined in joyful Hakofos.
“The very writing of a Sefer Torah creates unity,” says Rabbi Moishe Meir. “The congregants participate in writing of the letters, and this brings unity to the community. In these very difficult days, we must tap into our essence. For us, the source is the Torah. What better way to reconnect than writing a Torah and bringing more goodness and light into the world?
“Thanks to this special woman, this community in Fort Lauderdale lives on with an extra light, where each, and every Jew has a family, and a place where they can call home, and may we all speedily merit in the ultimate joy, with Mashiach Tzidkaynu speedily in our days!”
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