A spirited crowd of literally thousands of men, women, and children filled the streets of Crown Heights on Sunday night for the grand Siyum of the 11th Unity Sefer Torah (Sefer Torah Hakloli). Both Crown Heights locals, Shluchim and Bochurim participated.  The atmosphere was electrifying as the community joined together for this historic milestone, celebrating with song, dance, and true achdus.

The evening began in Oholei Torah where respected Shluchim and Rabbanim were honored with writing the final letters. Hagbah was bought in honor of Rabbi Yekusiel Feldman, and Rabbi Mendy Zaltzman was honored with the placement of the crown on the Torah.  Hundreds of people joined in a joyous Tahalucha to 770.  Hakafos opened with a recording of the Rebbe’s Holy Voice saying Atah Horeisah, followed by Rabbi Yosef Braun leading the crowd in Atah Horeisah. Dancing began with uplifting music by the Yossi Cohen Orchestra, with Eli Marcus leading the crowd in joyous singing that quickly turned Eastern Parkway into a spirited dance floor. 

Prior Hakafos with 12 Pesukim were lead by groups of children arranged by Rabbi Mendel Levin of Tzivos Hashem. 

The simcha was joined by yet another new Torah presented by  Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky and family, who completed a Sefer Torah in memory of their father, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, earlier that day at the banquet. 

The first Hakafah was dedicated in honor of our Rebbe, led by Rabbi Yossi Michvashvili.

The second Hakafah was dedicated by keren hashluchim in honor of the Rebbe’s Shluchim across the globe, led by Rabbi Zalman Ahron Grossbaum.

The third Hakafah was dedicated in by Beis Shmuel Chabad in honor of those who live in Crown Heights, led by Rabbi Levi Garelik in honor of his birthday.

The fourth Hakafah dedicated in Memory of Schneur Oirichman a”h, who tragically passed away several months ago. Rabbi Oirichmann an active Vaad member of the Sefer Torah Hakloli, and son of Rabbi Moishe Oirichman, Chairman of the Vaad. The Hakafah was led by his father-in-law, Rabbi Yossi Lasker.

The fifth Hakafah was dedicated in honor of the IDF soldiers, who put their life on the line every day to protect Eretz Hakodesh, led by Rabbi Menachem Ofen, shliach to Tzahal in Eretz Yisroel.

The sixth Hakafah was dedicated by the Duchman family honor of 50 years to the 12 pesukim and yidishe children led by Rabbi Sholom Duchman, which was also accompanied with a special video presentation about the 12 pesukim.

The seventh Hakafah was dedicated in honor of all those who worked tirelessly on the Sefer Torah Hakloli. This Hakafah was led by Rabbi Yossi Rapp, and Rabbi Shmuli Butler of the Chabad of the airport, who will be receiving the Sefer Torah.

The eighth Hakafah took place in 770, featuring Yehuda Piamenta. Throughout the night, from young children to elder chassidim, the dancing was in full swing, capturing the unity and excitement of the moment.

Rabbi Shneur Oirechman of Tallahassee, Florida, who served as MC, shared that many people remarked they had not seen an event of this scale and energy in Crown Heights in a very long time. “The Rebbe said that the Siyum of a Sefer Torah Hakloli should be grand and beautiful,” he noted. “And as we saw last night, it truly was.”

The Rebbe said that the Siyum of a Sefer Torah Hakloli should be grand and beautiful, and as we saw last night, it really, truly was. Please help fulfill the Rebbe’s Hora’ah at charidy.com/unityletter. A donation of $36 enters participants into a raffle for a dollar from the Rebbe, and a donation of $180 enters participants into a raffle for both a dollar from the Rebbe and a unique Rebbe coin.

Photos by Sholom Srugo

Watch a replay:

This event was made possible thanks to:

Rabbi Moshe Oirechman
Rabbi Chaim Piekarski
Esty Rapoport – YourEventByEsty
Rabbi Mendel Lerner
Rabbi Mendel Braun
Rabbi Yisroel Friend
Rabbi Yitzchok Pruss
Rabbi Mendel Mintz

Tzvaim productions

Machon Stam
Moshe Pinson
Keren Hashluchim
Vaad Hakinus
Chabad of the Airport

With special appreciation to:
Yisroel Yavitch and Crown Heights Shmira
Hatzalah of Crown Heights
Yisroel Friend of Crown Torah Truck
Meir Simcha Kogan Chabad.org