Jewish Pride Alive in Old Tappan, NJ

OLD TAPPAN, NJ [CHI] — On Sunday, Erev Shavuos, two hundred people joined Rabbi Mendy and Devora Lewis of Chabad of Old Tappan, NJ, for a celebration commemorating the completion of the communities first Torah.

The excitement was palpable for the entire community, who not only just commissioned their first Torah but saw the entire project as a dream come true as the purchase of the torah was initiated by its own community members. “I only wish my father was here to see this moment… this whole celebration has brought me closer to my roots”, said Morton Covitz, chairman of the Torah Fund.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

As the celebration poured out into the streets, emotions ran high; many wiped a tear from their eye as the Torah accompanied by torches, music and a vintage 1950’s Cadillac convertible. Cars and passerby’s halted to view the lively parade.

The celebration was summed up succinctly by Tina DeNike “And to think that less than two years ago a sense of Jewish pride and unity was nearly vacant from this small town until the Lewis’s brought Chabad and now all that has changed!”