Marking Shliach’s 15th Yohrtzeit, Otzar HaStam Launches Gan HaOtiot

At an emotional ceremony on Friday attended by Rabbonim, political figures, and Anash members from, friends and family, Tzfat’s Otzar HaStam visitors centers officially opened its new Gan HaOtiot exhibit. The ceremony also marked the 15th anniversary of the city’s pioneering Head Shliach, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kaplan, A’H.

The Gan HaOtiot exhibit features artistically designed and crafted life-sized letters of the Alef-Beit, interwoven with the garden that surrounds Otzar HaStam, that greet visitors as they enter the facility. The park offers visitors an outdoor, walking experience of the Hebrew letters, which complements it’s hands-on, experiential indoor exhibits on the Torah’s scribal arts.

Produced my master artisan and Tzfat resident, Rafi Malka, each letter’s artwork depicts and highlights the deep spirituality and themes hidden in each letter.

The grand opening was celebrated in the park itself and featured the participation of many Tzfat residents, including Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Mayor Ilan Shochet, former Mayor Zev Perel, Rav of Chabad in Tzfat Rabbi Mordechai Bistritsky, Beit Din Member Rabbi Chaim Bazak, Chabad Shaliach in Yedod HaMayla Rabbi Yakov Reitzes, and Director of Chabad’s Oholei Yosef Yitzhak netword of schools Rabbi Yisrael Butman.

Also prominently featured were Tzfat’s original team of Shluchim: Rabbi Yosef Chitrik, Rabbi Gavriel Marzel, Rabbi Alter Friedman, Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld, and Rabbi Shneur Hendel. And many more distinguished members of Chabad Anash and Shluchim.

Rabbi Chaim Kaplan addressed the crowd and focused attention on the event marking 40 years of the Rebbe’s Shlichus in Tzfat, since it’s humble beginnings right after Pesach in 1973. The great efforts made by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan on behalf of Tzfat’s Chabad community and all its residents was described by Rabbi Bistritsky, who also commented on the artistry of the park’s letters. Mayor Shochet praised Chabad’s efforts at transforming and building the city, while encouraging the further development of Otzar HaStam as a part of the city’s invaluable offerings to visitors.

The speeches were followed by eight Siyum Masecht’s conducted by members of the Kaplan family.

Gan HaOtiot was made possible by the partnership and support of the Rittri family of Switzerland. The letter “Ches” in the garden was dedicated in their honor. “Beis” was dedicated by a friend from Florida in honor of his Rabbi and Shaliach, and the Letter “Alef” in honor of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kaplan.

Otzar HaStam (www.hastam.co.il) is a project of Agudat Kiryat Chabad of Tzfat, under the direction of Rabbi Kaplan’s son and successor, Rabbi Chaim Kaplan.