Hachnosas Sefer Torah Shows Triumph over Nazis

On 22 Elul, a Sefer Torah sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Mendy Levy finally made its way to its permanent home in Mariupol, Ukraine, where the local Shluchim, Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Cohen, have been waiting for their own kosher Sefer Torah for many years.

By true Hashgacha Protis, this day also marks the anniversary of the freedom of the city from under the heel of the Nazis ym”s (16,000 of the city’s Jews were shot dead in a mass grave); a Hachnosas Sefer Torah on this day marks the ultimate victory of the surviving Jews.

Led by a live music band, many of the local Jews took part in the procession along the city’s streets. The event was covered by many in the local media, while the Shliach took the opportunity to also publicize the coming holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Shluchim from the nearby cities of Donetzk and Maki’ivka also attended.

The procession ended with the traditional Hakafos at the recently renovated Shul, followed by a grand meal at the local convention center. Rabbi Pinchas Vishetzki, head Shliach of the Donetzk region, addressed the crowd regarding the important days ahead, and wished everyone well for the upcoming new year. Rabbi Mendy Cohen blew the shofar and spoke proudly how every large city in Ukraine now has a Shul and Jewish school, where a new generation of Jewish children are growing up, proving that Judaism is never lost.

Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer, Shliach in Maki’ivka, spoke about the importance of Chodesh Elul, and the M.C., Rabbi Aharon Kaganovski, ended the event with a blessing for a happy new year.