Hundreds gathered at a gala procession to escort the newly completed Sefer Torah scroll that will be used for services at F.R.E.E (Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe) headquarters- America’s first Russian synagogue.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented F.R.E.E. with a proclamation prior to the event, stating: “Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe, Sefer Torah Completion Celebration Day, in Brooklyn, USA.”
Amongst the prominent members in attendance was Rabbi David B. Hollander, longtime rabbinic activist and senior member of F.R.E.E.’s rabbinical advisory council. Noted the great self-sacrifice of the Safaniev family who dedicated this Torah Scroll in memory of their late father, Ravchida ben Gilad Safaniev, a”h.
Also in attendance were Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff and Cantor Moshe Weiss of the Atlantic Beach Jewish Center, who were each privileged to carry the Sefev Torah under the ornate bridal canopy. Those in attendance who witnessed as the scribe completed the letters of the Torah’s final verse, realized how fortunate they were to welcome this new Torah scroll – the latest link in a holy, eternal chain, reflects Rabbi David Okunov, associate program director at F.R.E.E. The Torah was carried under a canopy, to torches, song, Russian dances, banners and live music.
Boruch Safaniev eldest son of Torah sponsor Gregory Safaniev placing the crown on the Torah.
For more information about F.R.E.E. go to www.RussianJewry.org.