Israel’s ‘North Star’ Welcomes New Sefer Torah

The northern Tel Aviv community of Kochav Hatzafon (North Star) welcomed a new Sefer Torah a few days before Shavuos.

Rabbi Shmuel Lepkevker, Chabad shliach of Kochav Hatzafon, and his family, along with the Moriel family, sponsored the Torah in memory of Mr. Moriel’s father Reb Shlomo of blessed memory and in memory of Reb Yaakov Yosef Lepkever of blessed memory.

Among the dignitaries that took part in concluding the last letters of the new Sefer Torah were the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s shliach to Tel Aviv-Yaffo and Rabbi of the Chabad community in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Joseph Gerlitzky, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, the Machnovker Rebbe, and Rabbi Yosef Y. Belinov, the Rabbi of Central Bnei Brak.

The magnitude of Jewish pride that everyone felt while dancing in the streets with the new Torah left a huge impression on the entire community. It was a true Kiddush Hashem.

“This is not the first time that Chabad organized public events in the neighborhood,” said Noam and Dana, a young couple who live in the neighborhood since they married and brought their three young children to the celebration. “But an event like this we never witnessed. The entire neighborhood turned into one big synagogue, one entity of sanctity and joy. With the Rebbe’s inspiration, Rabbi Lepkevker and his wife are doing remarkable things here.”

Dancing spilled into the streets, with all the residents coming out on their porches to participate in the simcha by clapping hands and waving with excitement.

Binyamin Wilhelm was the MC of the event, and special singing stars Yishai Lapidus and Avremi Roth performed, sweeping everyone off their feet.

The event concluded with a Seudas Mitzva and dancing late into the night.