The event began with a lively street procession accompanied by live music, singing, and joyful dancing. As is customary, the new Torah scroll was carried beneath a chuppah and was accompanied by dozens of Jewish families, community members, guests, youth, and children, into the shul for additional festive Hakafos and dancing.

The celebration continued with a festive communal meal, lovingly prepared by students of the Leaders JUniversity of Odesa. Around the long tables, community members of all ages came together to celebrate the event and enjoyed words of Torah and wisdom from the community’s rabbi and the city’s chief rabbi, Avraham Wolf.

Adding further depth to the occasion was a special Chassidic gathering in honor of Chai Elul — the birthday of two foundational figures in Chassidic thought: the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.