Zhitomir Welcomes New Torah Scroll

Zhitomir, Ukraine — A restored Torah scroll gave the people of Zhitomir’s Jewish community, a reason to celebrate after Mark Anapolskiy, a descendant of well-known poet Hayyim Nahman Bialik, presented the Jewish community of his hometown with the restored Torah. The ceremony began in the historic home that a hundred years belonged to the influential poet.

Later, the synagogue hall was filled with the city’s elderly, and students from the yeshiva and heder, who waited for the scroll to be carried in. The ceremony was lead by Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Azriel Chaikin and Executive Director of the FJC of Ukraine, Rabbi Meir Stambler. Everyone participated in the traditional Hakafot, the dancing with the Torah, — even those guests that were just learning some of the traditions of their people.