Long Beach Celebrates New Torah, in the Face of Sandy Devastation

A SEFER Torah for a SAFER world and a SAFER Long Beach – A show of unity and the strong resolve of the Long Beach community since Hurricane Sandy to rise up once again.

To foster the unity amongst the many Jewish organizations since Hurricane Sandy flooded the streets of Long Beach, the entire community was invited by Rabbi Eli & Beila Goodman of the BACH Jewish Center / Chabad of the Beaches, shluchim to Long Beach, Lido and Atlantic Beach communities to join a unique celebration where a new Torah was dedicated by the Kaylie Family in honor of the Bar mitzvah of their son and grandson, Hudson – Hillel Yehuda.

A stream of people danced in the streets of Long Beach today to mark a rare and momentous occasion: the writing and dedication of a new Torah.

The traditional celebration was made all the more joyous by the fact that local synagogues had been so badly devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

The focus of the Torah dedication was the emergence of the Long Beach community since the storm. Various representatives of many Jewish organizations who were part of the relief effort where in attendance, including Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chabad Headquarters, Rabbi Benny Zippel, Chabad of Utah, Rabbi Berel Pewsner, Chabad Hurricane Relief, Mr. Moishe Hellman, Ohel Family Sevices, Assemblymen, City Council Representatives, together with national media, followed by a parade through the streets of Long Beach for hundreds of men, women and children singing and dancing.

People celebrated with a jubilant parade of sorts that stretched for nearly two miles, ending at the Bach Jewish Center on Edwards Boulevard. The synagogue sustained significant damage from the storm, and congregants say the Torah dedication symbolizes its revitalization.