London Community Welcomes ‘Unity Sefer Torah’

To commemorate 20 years since Gimmel Tammuz, as well as the conclusion of the Shiva for head Shliach to the UK Rabbi Nachman Sudak, OBM, the Chabad community of London and Shluchim from the surrounding areas gathered in Stamford Hill for a grand Siyum and Hachnosas Sefer Torah on Sunday, June 22.

Sunday’s festivities followed special Farbrengens over Shabbos in three Lubavitch Shuls in the area, each graced with the presence of a guest speaker who arrived for the event: Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, head Shliach to Maryland; Rabbi A.D. Gancz, Mashgiach of the Yeshiva in Morristown, NJ; and Rabbi Sheis Taub, noted author and lecturer from Pittsburgh, PA.

On Sunday, the final letters of the Torah were written in the Junior Boys’ School in Stamford Hill. Each family in attendance purchased one column of the ‘Unity Sefer Torah,’ as it was aptly named.

When complete, the Torah was marched through the streets of Stamford Hill to Lubavitch House, where joyous Hakafos, with lively music, singing and dancing, were held.

The crowd of over 700 people sat in large tents set up in the courtyard of the building for the main event.

The gathering was addressed by emcee Rabbi N.D. Dubov, who thanked the committee, led by Rabbi Getsel Itzinger, for all their hard work in making the event a reality.

Rabbi Y.M. Hertz, Rosh Yeshiva, and Rabbi Levi Sudak were honored with leading the recital of Tehillim, and Dayan L.Y. Raskin spoke on behalf of the Sudak family.

The men were addressed by guest speakers Rabbi Gancz and Rabbi Kaplan, and the woman by Rabbi Kaplan and Rebbetzin Chana Diskin of Munich, Germany.

A special children’s event was run simultaneously by Rabbi Yossi Simon.

“It was an unforgettable and memorable day for Chabad in the UK. So many people, such atmosphere; there was a beautiful ruach; the dancing was lively and the speakers were excellent and spoke to the point,” one of the organizers told CrownHeights.info.

“It revived memories of things not experienced here in London for many, many years,” he said.