Los Angeles Celebrates Bittersweet Siyum Sefer Torah

Completing a brand new Sefer Torah is a very joyous occasion, but this one was different. On the day that marked the Bas Mitzvah of Chaya Spalter OBM a Torah, whose writing began in the merit of recovery, was instead completed in her memory in a bittersweet ceremony.

Members of the Anash community in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas gathered to complete a new Sefer Torah, which was started by Chaya’s great aunt in the merit of her recovery.

Chaya is the daughter of Rabbi Mendy and Hadassah Spalter who bravely fought yeneh machla twice. She tragically passed away four months ago.

Writing of the Torah continued in her memory and was completed yesterday, Sunday, in the Spalter home. Attending the ceremony was Michael Downing the LAPD’s Chief of Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau along with Adam Deckel with the LAPD’s Liaison Unit.

Also attending was the LAPD pilot who flew the helicopter over Chaya’s school – Beis Chaya Mushka – where her classmates waited on the roof and displayed their message of love.

After writing the Torahs final letters a procession, featuring live music and a performance by 8th Day, made its way through the streets of Los Angeles on its way to Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon Chabad – lead by Rabbi Ezra Shochet, who is also Chaya’s grandfather.