Chabad of West Houston hosted the completion and welcoming of a new Sefer Torah, with community members from across Houston joining together for the occasion.

The Sefer Torah was dedicated by the Melnik family in memory of their mother, Barbara Melnik, by her children Ryan, Ilan, and Irit. The event began with the writing of the final letters by the sofer, Rabbi Moshe Klein of Brooklyn, with families stepping up to assist, holding the quill together with the sofer.

Rabbi Dovid Goldstein welcomed the wider Houston community and shared the Rebbe’s teaching that all Jews unite through a collective Sefer Torah, explaining that every person is like one letter, and if even one letter is missing or incomplete, the entire Torah is invalid. He also noted the 613th mitzvah of writing a Torah, and how purchasing a letter is a way to take part in that mitzvah.

As the final letters were completed, Ryan Melnik addressed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support, speaking about his mother’s years as a dedicated member of the community and her relationship with Rabbi Goldstein.

The Torah was lifted for all to see in hagbah, then dressed in its mantle and crown. The crowd broke into lively dancing as the Sefer Torah was escorted outside. With music, singing, and hakafos, a chuppah was held above the new Torah as it was brought through West Houston and into its new home in the Aron Kodesh at Chabad of West Houston.

The celebration concluded with a festive seudah.

Photos: Shlomie Nathanson