Chabad at Arizona State University led by Rabbi Shmuel and Chana Tiechtel, recently experienced a milestone event – welcoming the first Torah written for them. The celebration of Jewish pride had never been seen before in Tempe, Arizona.
Chabad at Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona, led by Rabbi Shmuel and Chana Tiechtel, recently experienced a milestone event – the welcoming of their first Torah written specifically for them. This was made possible through Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin of Machon Stam, who meticulously organized and oversaw the writing of the beautiful Torah.
The event was a vivid display of Jewish pride and joy, as participants danced through the university and onto the streets of Tempe. In an extraordinary show of support, the Tempe Police Department halted traffic on the main street to allow the celebratory procession to dance with the Torah under a chuppah, accompanied by torches, flags, and boundless joy.
The celebration saw over 150 attendees, including college students, alumni, friends from the greater Phoenix area, and guests from California and New Jersey.
The Torah’s arrival was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Steinberg family, the family of ASU junior Ethan Steinberg, and Zadies Bakery from New Jersey. The Steinberg family dedicated the new Torah in loving memory of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.
For many of the students present at the siyum and hachnasas Sefer Torah, this was their first opportunity to witness such an event, making it an unforgettable experience in their lives. The joyous occasion not only celebrated the new Torah but also strengthened the bonds of community and Jewish identity among ASU students.
Wonderful news and pictures !