New Torah Scroll Welcomed With Joy in Kaliningrad Ahead of Yom Kippur
Amid the solemn atmosphere of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Jewish community of Kaliningrad gathered for a joyous and memorable Hachnosas Sefer Torah at the city’s Great Synagogue.
The magnificent new Torah scroll was welcomed with song and dance in an event that brought together community members, students and their families, as well as guests who traveled from Moscow, the United States, Dubai and Eretz Yisroel.
The event was organized by the Chabad Shliach to Kaliningrad, Rabbi Avraham Baruch Deutsch, together with his wife, the Shlucha, and was attended by the Chief Rabbi of Kaliningrad, Rabbi David Shvedik.
The day began with a large and festive Shacharis service, followed by the writing of the final letters of the Torah scroll. A number of community rabbis, Shluchim and distinguished guests were honored with the final letters, including Rabbi Gershon Lishush, a friend of the donor; Dayan Rabbi Shneur Zalman HaCohen Cohen; Sofer Stam Rabbi Michael Gershon Mishulovin; and Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, rabbi of the Chagall community in Moscow’s ZIL neighborhood.
The Torah was donated by philanthropist Mr. Edik Elchanan Migirov in honor of his parents, Avraham and Sarah. Addressing the gathering, Migirov expressed his hope that the synagogue would always be filled with a Minyan and that the Torah would continually be read within its walls. He also wished the community health and a good and sweet new year.
A special video blessing from Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Berl Lazar, was screened during the celebration. Rabbi Lazar spoke about the importance of Jewish unity around the Torah and extended his blessings to the community and the donor.
The celebration reached its height as the Torah was taken into the streets in a festive procession. Despite the rain and wintry weather, community members gathered beneath the ornate Chuppah for lively dancing and music.
The dancing was led by Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Gedge, director of the “Chiyuch HaLev” educational institution, Mashpia and Baal Menagen, whose spirited melodies accompanied the celebrants as they danced with the new Torah.
The Sefer Torah was then brought into the synagogue amid Hakafos and Mitzvah dancing, accompanied by the singing of “Se’u She’arim Rasheichem” as it was brought to its place in the Aron Kodesh.
The Hachnosas Sefer Torah marks another milestone in the continued growth of Jewish life in Kaliningrad. The celebration concluded with a Seudas Mitzvah and a Chassidic Farbrengen that continued late into the night, with participants accepting good resolutions to increase their Torah study and Mitzvah observance.
The gathering concluded with prayers that the new Sefer Torah bring increased light and Jewish life to Kaliningrad, and that the community be blessed with a year of redemption, salvation and a Gmar Chasimah Tovah.
Photo: Chabad of Kaliningrad
