New Sefer Torah Welcomed With Joy in Kaliningrad

A new Sefer Torah was welcomed to the main shul in Kaliningrad this week, bringing together members of the local Jewish community and guests from around the world during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah.

The celebration began with Shacharis, followed by the writing of the final letters in the Sefer Torah. Local families and students were joined by guests who traveled from Moscow, the United States, Dubai and Eretz Yisroel.

The event was led by Kaliningrad’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Shvedik, together with the city’s shliach, Rabbi Avraham Baruch Deutsch, who organized the celebration together with his wife.

Among those honored with writing the final letters were Rabbi Gershon Lishush, a friend of the donor; dayan Rabbi Shneur Zalman HaCohen Cohen; sofer Rabbi Michael Gershon Mishulovin; and Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, rov of the Chagall community in Moscow’s ZIL neighborhood.

The Sefer Torah was donated by Edik Elchanan Migirov in the zechus of his parents, Avraham and Sarah, for long and healthy years.

Speaking at the event, Migirov expressed his hope that a minyan would always gather in the shul and that the Torah would continue to be read there regularly. He wished the community health and a good and sweet new year.

A special video message from Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Berel Lazar, was shown during the celebration. Rabbi Lazar spoke about the unity created around the Torah and offered his brachos to the community and the donor.

Despite the rain, participants then accompanied the Sefer Torah through the streets beneath a chuppah, dancing to live music led by Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Gedge, director of the Chiyuch HaLev educational institution.

The procession continued into the shul with singing and dancing, as the Sefer Torah was brought toward the aron kodesh to the singing of Se’u She’arim Rasheichem.

A festive seudah followed, during which Migirov was presented with a gift of appreciation from the community. A farbrengen continued into the night, with participants taking on hachlatos to increase in Torah and mitzvos.

Photos: Chabad of Kaliningrad