Two New Torahs in Ten Days for FREE of Brighton Beach

In the last ten days alone, FREE of Brighton Beach united the Brighton Jewish community twice for celebrations of two new Torahs, completed in local shuls and welcomed to FREE with song and dance.

In the last ten days alone, FREE of Brighton Beach united the Brighton Jewish community twice for celebrations of two new Torahs, completed in local shuls and welcomed to FREE with song and dance.

The first Sefer Torah was donated by Ms. Elisheva Chana Solovey in loving memory of her son Eliezer (Leonard), who tragically passed away on the second day of Passover 2020.

The Torah, which was mostly written in Eretz Yisroel. was completed on Thursday, May 13th, the second of Sivan, at the Young Israel of Brighton Beach (Brighton 4th Street). Rabbi Efraim Zaltzman, who serves as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Brighton, also serves as the Chabad Rabbi to Kingsborough College, and has close ties with FREE of Brighton.

Mendel (Matthew) Solovey, the younger brother of Eliezer, was honored with inscribing the last letter with the assistance of expert scribe Rabbi Yossi Altein, and with raising the Torah. After the completion of the Torah scroll, the community set out in a wedding-like procession to F.R.E.E. of Brighton Beach (Brighton 6th Street), accompanied by music and a special Torah float.

At the shul, the community danced the traditional seven hakofos, and concluded the memorable event with a beautifully catered dinner in the Hollander Social Hall.

The second Torah was dedicated by Mr. Akiva Aguvayev in honor of his parents. The Torah was completed on Sunday, May 23, the 12th of Sivan, at the New Brighton Jewish Center (Brighton 11th Street) where Rabbi Feivel Rimler serves as rabbi.

Mr. Aguvayev enjoys a long-standing friendship with Rabbi Rimler and wanted to honor the New Brighton Jewish center with the completion of the Torah.

The event was organized by Rabbi Hershel Okonov, the Rebbe’s shliach to Brighton Beach and a longtime friend of Rabbi Rimler. Also in attendance was Rabbi David Okunov, Rabbi of the Chabad Oceanview Jewish Center on Brighton 4th Street.

The expert scribe, Rabbi Moshe Klein, helped community members write a letter in the Torah, with Mr. Akiva Aguvayev’s father writing the final letter.

Following the completion of the Torah, Mr. Aguvayev raised the Torah, and the community proceeded to dance down Brighton Beach Avenue and through other streets of Brighton Beach to the F.R.E.E. of Brighton Beach Synagogue. The event continued with traditional hakofos at FREE of Brighton and culminated with a catered lunch for all guests in attendance.

Mr. Isaac Liberman, president of FREE of Brighton Beach, marveled at the unity of the various shuls of Brighton Beach. “Throughout the year,” he said, “members of the various communities help each other out, especially during these challenging times. It is very heartwarming to witness the Jewish unity and pride of Brighton Beach, and to be able to dance and celebrate together.”