Second Hachnasat Sefer Torah
On Sunday 12th of December, the sun broke through the clouds and shone upon the procession of a second Hachnasat Sefer Torah.
The Sefer Torah was donated by the family of Mr. Darren Freedman in memory of his late father Mr. Reuven Freedman z”l, together with generous donations from the community.
Final letters were written at the home of Rabbi Raphy Garson, the shul’s Rav. Dayan Y Lichtenstein, Rosh Beis Din of the Federation of Synagogues, Dayan Elzas, & a number of other prominent local Rabbis from the Hertfordshire and NW London area.
Once completed some 250 people accompanied the Sefer Torah to it new home, dancing to the live music and songs sung by 11 year old Avi Garson, of Pardes House Grammar School.
This was an amazing sight to behold and a rare event in the Elstree community. Singing, dancing, fire torches & light sticks brought the procession to life.
Upon arrival to the shul the children were greeted by Uncle Doovy’s ice cream van, a rare sight in Hertfordshire.
In the evening, the entire community joined together for a gala seudah, in the presence of Rabbi S Weingarten of the Bridge Lane Bet Hamidrash, other esteemed Rabbanim, Alan Finlay, president of the Federation of Synagogues, Dr. Eli Keinwald, Chief Executive of the Federation of Synagogues and other dignitaries.
Ohr Yisrael, the Federation Synagogue of Elstree, recently celebrated a milestone in its history.