Houston Chabad House Lives it Up with New Torah

The writing of a new sefer Torah is a joyous occasion that few Jews have the opportunity to witness in their lifetime. However, Houston is blessed with individuals who help preserve future Jewish generations by donating new sefer Torahs for Arks that may have been home only to Torahs on loan.

Such was the story of the Shmuel Goldberg Unity Torah, written for Chabad Uptown and dedicated on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Native Houstonian Sarah Ann Goldstein and her family dedicated the new scroll, in loving memory of her brother, Shmuel Goldberg.

In the dedication ceremony, Goldstein described how her brother, living with Parkinson’s disease, had no children. He wanted to gift her some property, but she resisted, wishing instead that he sell it to cover medical bills. Ultimately, he died, leaving her the property. She sold it and used the proceeds to commission a sefer Torah, so that her brother’s memory would be perpetuated in future generations of Jews.

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff began serving the Houston community in 2002, establishing Chabad Uptown in February 2006. Besides Shabbat and holiday services and dinners, they lead many programs for men, women and children. In addition, the dynamic couple co-directs Chabad Hebrew School of Houston. The seventh of 11 remarkable children of Rabbi Shimon and Chiena Lazaroff, Rabbi Chaim is program director for Chabad Lubavitch Center, Texas Regional Headquarters, and Chanie is curriculum coordinator for Torah Day School’s early childhood center.

“With the installment of our first Torah,” said Rabbi Chaim, “Chabad of Uptown has reached a new chapter in its humble beginnings. We look forward to many meaningful years to come.”

Ceremonies began at the Junior League building, with a reception for more than 100 adults and their children, who had funded parts of the Torah, from individual letters, words and verses to several beautiful mantels and a magnificent breast plate and crown.

Benefactors, including children, were called up to assist New York Rabbi Faitel Lewin in scribing the final words.

Linda Suib, a Congregation Beth Yeshurun member, who also frequents Chabad, dedicated a mantel. “I dedicated the High Holy Days Torah cover, in memory of my parents, Jerry and Lillian Suib,” she said. “And, I wrote the letter mem – for moshiach and mazel.” Last year, Suib helped write a letter in a sefer Torah for Beth Yeshurun.

Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff described the dedication as the “happiest occasion in Jewish life. No matter where we are, Torah keeps us alive,” he said.

Sarah Ann Goldstein and family members helped write the final three words of the Torah, after which the open Torah was held high (hagbah) for all to see and rejoice in song.

The Torah, then, was taken outside and, under a chuppah, was carried in a procession – resplendent with song and dance – to its new home. A Simchat Torah celebration and seudat mitzvah (festival meal) followed.