Thousands Celebrated Beloved LA Gabbai’s Miraculous Recovery

Thousands of men, women, and children from across Los Angeles came out to celebrate the miraculous recovery of their beloved gabbai, who marked his miraculous recovery with a grand Hachnosas Sefer Torah through the streets of the city.

The celebration was dedicated by Rabbi Levi Raichik, the gabbai of Congregation Levi Yitzchok, the central Anash shul in Los Angeles, together with his wife, Miriam Raichik, and family, in gratitude to Hashem for the new lungs he received a year ago.

The grand musical procession, led by singer Lipa Schmeltzer, began at the Raichik home and made its way to the shul on N. La Brea Blvd., where the street had been closed for the occasion.

The Torah was begun a year ago, before Levi’s surgery, in an act of bitachon that a year later the family would celebrate with the entire city.

“We began writing a year ago with total faith and trust in Hashem that this time next year we would have a citywide celebration giving thanks to Hashem for a new breath of life,” the family said. “And that is exactly what we did.”

The day began at the Raichik home, where family and friends were honored with writing the final letters of the Torah. After the last letter was completed, hagbah and gelilah were performed, and the Torah was brought out into the street.

Hundreds upon hundreds of LA Anash and members of the broader frum community joined the procession, and the crowd grew as it moved along. Passersby and drivers stopped to watch and wave along the streets.

A large, decorated truck with a live band played lively music while participants carried torches of fire, and the children waved flags and balloons, with cotton candy for the children. The LAPD and Magen Am USA assisted along the route.

“The feeling of marching through the streets of Los Angeles in 2026 with our dear Torah that we’ve held sacred for 3,339 years is indescribable,” the family said. “You have to have been there to experience it.”

When the Torah arrived at Congregation Levi Yitzchok, a massive stage and band were set up on La Brea Blvd. for hakafos. Lipa Schmeltzer led the singing as the crowd danced with great joy, followed by a street fair with activities for the whole family.

The LA Anash rov, and nephew of Raichik, Rabbi Yisroel Noach Raichik, and other prominent community rabbonim joined the celebration.

“Don’t take your life for granted is not just a slogan,” the family said. “Uncle Levi really means it, and he pulled out all stops.”

“We dedicated this Torah with gratitude for his miraculous recovery, and pray it will be used for generations to come in good health, mazal, and long life,” they added.