New Sefer Torah at Free Torah Loan Society Dedicated To NYPD Officers Killed in The Line of Duty
The Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach Free Torah Loan Society on March 7th dedicated a Torah to the two Police officers who were killed in the line of duty on January, 21st of this year. The Ceremony took place in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
The Torah is in memory of Detective Jason Rivera, Shield number 9006 and Detective Wilbert Mora, Shield number 9007. The Torah also honors every Police officer in New York City who put their lives on the line each day for New Yorkers.
Rabbi Bentzion Chanowitz, who runs the Gemach in conjunction with Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Merkos suite 302, felt that it is important to show support and respect to the New York City Police.
“We want the Police to know that they are respected by us and that with today’s craziness going we support and Honor them,” Rabbi Chanowitz said. “This is why we felt it is appropriate to put the names of the fallen Police Officers on the cover of the Torah. To memorialize them.”
The Torah was refurbished and made Kosher again to be used in services.
The Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach provides Torahs to Synagogues around the world who are in need of primary use Sifrei Torahs. The Torahs remain on loan until a permanent solution is found.
At present, the Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach Free Torah Loan Society has over 190 Torahs deployed throughout the world on long term loans.
The Gemach works mainly with Chabad Shluchim who are starting out in their communities.
“We have found that by providing Torahs to new Congregations allows them to grow and takes stress away from the Rabbi’s so they can increase services to their Parishioners,” the Gemach said.
The Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach has dedicated other Torahs in Memory of other Police officers who have been killed as well as First Responders and Victims of terror.
High ranking Officers from the NYPD including Chief Michael M. Kemper, Inspector Richie Taylor, Lieutenant Ira Jablonsky and members of the Brooklyn South Community task force, as well as Rabbis from the Flatbush area were present to honor and pray for the two Police Officers. Those in attendance also prayed that the killing does not happen again.
The Torah will be deployed and used by Rabbi Yehoshua Samuels in the Rockwood Park Jewish Center in Howard Beach, Queens.
