Chabad of Woodstock completed its first Sefer Torah on Yud Gimmel Tammuz, the Chag Hageulah of the Frierdiker Rebbe, with hundreds taking part in the writing of the final letters, a procession through the center of Woodstock, and hakafos at the shul.

Rabbi Mendy and Shaindy Karczag arrived in Woodstock nearly seven years ago, at the suggestion of Rabbi Yitzchak Hecht, head shliach of Chabad of Ulster County.

The young couple settled into the Catskills town and began building Jewish life one family and one program at a time. A regular Shabbos minyan was established, followed by Torah classes, Yom Tov programs, children’s activities, and community events that drew local Yidden as well as visitors spending time in the area.

The completion of the Torah began at the Woodstock Community Center, where members of the community, friends, and supporters were invited to inscribe its final letters.

Families came forward one after another as the sofer guided them in completing the last words of the Torah. When the final letter was written, the Torah was lifted and shown to the crowd, as singing and dancing broke out around it.

The new Sefer Torah was then carried beneath a chuppa toward the Village Green. Streets through the center of Woodstock had been closed for the procession, allowing hundreds to accompany the Torah through town.

A live band played from a flatbed trailer at the head of the procession, while men and children danced around the Torah and families followed behind. The procession passed directly through the center of Woodstock, drawing residents and visitors to watch as the Torah was carried toward its new home.

Upon reaching Chabad of Woodstock, the Torah was carried inside for hakafos. Participants danced around the bima with the new Torah before joining a festive seudat mitzvah.