Kathmandu Welcomes New Torah in Memory of Hiker

History was made today in Kathmandu, Nepal when a new Sefer Torah was completed and a massive procession made its way down the main street. The new Torah was dedicated in memory of a 22-year-old hiker who disappeared, his body later found after massive searches.

George Abboudi was a 22-year-old backpacker from Leeds, England who went missing a number of months ago. Local Shluchim Rabbi Chezki and Chani Lifshitz helped coordinate a massive search, amid which came the tragic news that his lifeless body was discovered.

Unfortunately George never got a proper Jewish burial after locals torched his body and spread his ashes in a lake. Nepal does not believe in burials – evident by the fact that there are no cemeteries in the country, after a person passes they immediately cremate the bodys.

Wishing to retain the memory of their son, the Abboudi’s donated the funds for a new Sefer Torah in his memory, and wished that it be dedicated to the local Chabad House, one of the last places George had stayed.

The unfinished Torah was brought in from England by Rabbi Pesach Efune, Director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Brighton, England, who knew George and has been in touch with the Abboudi family.

The Torah was completed in the Chabad House and a procession, with hundreds of tourists and backpackers, made its way up one of Nepals busiest corridors, known as the ‘Thamel’ – which was closed and secured by the police especially for the event.

This Hacnosas Sefer Torah is believed to be the first ever in the country.