Siyum Sefer Torah at Kesser Torah College

AUSTRALIA — Sunday 5 September, Kesser Torah College received the much treasured gift of a new Sefer Torah. The Torah was donated to the College by Mendel & Tova Moss and Mark & Rikki Spiro in honour of their grandparents Sam & Agi Moss and Joseph & Gerda Brender, a very fitting recognition of their contribution to Jewish education over many years.

As Dover Heights Synagogue filled with members of the community, Kesser Torah Boys’ High School students had a special privilege of assisting the scribe in writing the last few words. A very lively auction followed in which people vied for the chance to fulfill the great mitzvah of writing the last few letters in a Torah. The final two letters were reserved for the men of honour with Sam Moss and Joseph Brender bringing the new Sefer Torah to completion. Mendel Moss and Mark Spiro spoke of the lessons they have learned from their grandparents’ tireless efforts in building Jewish education institutions. Member for Wentworth the Honorable Mr Malcolm Turnbull quoted from a number of Jewish sources in an explanation of the central place the Torah has within Jewish belief.

The writing ceremony was followed by a parade from the synagogue to the newly completed Kesser Torah College Multi-Purpose Hall. The Torah was proudly carried under a Chuppah and welcomed to the College with music and dancing. The traditional eight verses were receipted each followed by energetic dancing and celebration. The new hall was filled for the afternoon with music, food and above all a love for the Torah and Jewish learning. In a quieter but very moving service the next day, Kesser Torah Boys’ High school used the new Torah during their daily morning prayers. As a student read from the Torah and his peers gathered around to admire their new gift, everyone could sense the wishes of the two noble grandparents being fulfilled.

It is not without the tireless dedication of Meir Moss – father of Mendel Moss and son of Sam Moss – who spent days, weeks and months on end ensuring our new Hall would be completed before the event. The Hall was built for KTC with thanks to the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution initiative which granted the school $2m to build this facility.

Mark Spiro with scribe Shlomo Israel filling in a letter

Friends for over 4 decades, Sam Moss & Joseph Brender

Meir Moss fills in a letter with Mendy Moss watching.

(L to R) Rabbi Michoel Gourarie, The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Mendy Moss, Mark Spiro, Sam Moss

The men dancing, welcoming the new Sefer Torah.

Joseph Brender carrying the new Sefer Torah

The procession from Dover Heights Shule, along Blake Street, and towards the new Multi-Purpose Hall

Meir Moss & Sam Moss carrying the new Sefer Torah

Mark Spiro and Mendy Moss with the new and old Sifrei Torah