Five Towns Welcomes Torah

This past Sunday, a Torah scroll was dedicated to Chabad of the Five Towns by Dr. and Mrs. Steven Sherman in loving memory of their parents Mr. and Mrs. Abraham and Cecilia Bernstein OB”M and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Selma Sherman OB”M.

The ceremony began in the Goldman room at Temple Beth El and continued to Chabad of the Five Towns, where many community members attended to celebrate this meaningful occasion.

Family, friends and a close group of shul members watched as the Sofer Rabbi Moshe Klein wrote the final letters of the new holy scroll and then paraded the new Torah to Chabad on streets that had been blocked off for the occasion. Throughout the parade route, passersby saw a spirited procession of celebrants dancing with the Torah.

The procession went through the driveway of the Tiffany House to pay homage to Mr. and Mrs. Abraham and Cecilia Bernstein OB”M who had previously lived there.

The Shermans were long time supporters Of Chabad Lubavitch Worldwide Headquarters and had a strong commitment to Jewish Outreach and a deep appreciation for Chabad’s message worldwide.

The Bernsteins were Holocaust survivors who rose above their circumstances. They raised a beautiful family, and in their last years, resided in Cedarhurst and made Chabad their Shul.

“Our sages tell us that when a righteous person passes away, a Torah is burned,” commented Rabbi Zalman Wolowik of Chabad of the Five Towns. “How fitting it is to commemorate such righteous people by writing a Torah in their memory.”

Dr. Steven and Joan Sherman, who donated the Torah, are long time members and friends of Chabad.

The celebration culminated at Chabad of the Five Towns where Hakafot, dancing, music and a Seudat Mitzvah (festive meal) capped off the festivities. The Torah was ushered into its new home at Chabad of the Five Towns and placed in the shul’s Aron Hakodesh.