California Town Joyously Welcomes New Torah

Close to 200 members of the Folsom, CA Jewish community gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate the completion of a brand new Sefer Torah, which will make its home at the local Chabad House, led by Rabbi Yossi and Goldie Grossbaum.

The Torah project was initiated over a year ago by community members Avi and Karen Shekarlab and family. Most of the funds were collected from a broad base of local community members.

Aside from local community members and dignitaries, several neighboring Shluchim joined in to celebrate with their colleague on this momentous occasion. Among them were: Rabbi Mendy Cohen of Sacramento – who was honored with saying tehilim for the yidden in Erezt Yisrael, Rabbi Yossi Korik of Roseville, Rabbi Mendy Zwiebel of Chico and Rabbi Mordy Richler of Lake Tahoe.

The Mayor of Folsom, Kerri Howell, addressed the crowd and presented a proclamation honoring the occasion. A representative of Congressman Ami Bera read a statement that had been entered into the congressional record honoring the occasion.

Crown Heights Sofer Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin, director of Machon Stam, who came out to Folsom a year earlier to begin the Sefer Torah, returned on Sunday to complete it, assisting those present to fill in the final letters of the Torah.

After the Torah was completed, it was paraded through the streets of Folsom with joyous singing and dancing. A special seudas mitzvah dinner was held in the evening to honor the primary donors of the Torah.

To contribute to Chabad of Folsom, visit www.jewishfolsom.org/torahproject.