A Siyum and Hachnosas Sefer Torah was held Sunday, Elul 24, uniting the Sydney Jewish Communities, celebrating the lives of two special shluchim, Zev and Rochel Simons OBM.
The Siyum Sefer Torah was performed at the South Head Synagogue, Rose Bay in the presence of Zev and Rochel’s families including two of their daughters, Shaina and Bassie. Also in attendance were leading Sydney Rabbis, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull – Leader of the Federal Opposition of the Australian Parliament and many friends.
The large crowd was addressed by Mr Mark Braham, father of Rochel a”h and also the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull. Rabbis Aryeh Leib Solomon and Benzion Milecki delivered inspirational messages.
Letters in the special Sefer Torah were purchased by the wider community within Australia and worldwide. The students of Kesser Torah College (the school where Zev and Rochel taught and dedicated their lives) purchased letters and one lucky student won the honour to represent the school and watch as the Sofer wrote the 13th last letter in the Torah.
The honour of writing the last ten letters were auctioned off and the very last letter was written by Zev’s a”h brothers Binyomin and Steven Simons.
Later that day, the footpaths were packed and people were overflowing onto the streets, as the communities paraded in celebration of the Hachnosas Sefer Torah. In an extraordinary turn of Hashgocha Protis, it was discovered that the Chupah that was used to escort the Torah had been hand sewn many decades earlier by Rochel’s a”h grandmother and then donated by them to the South Head Synogogue.
The community paraded through the balloon decorated streets, singing, kissing the Torah and taking turns to hold it. The joyous music reflected the spirit of the community. It was with great happiness that the Torah was accompanied to its new home, the Tzemach Tzedek Community Centre.
During the Hakofos, a unique joy, and Chayus was felt by the large crowd. One could have imagined Zev dancing right in the centre, while welcoming others to join in, to sing and dance along with him.
To conclude the event as the Torah was being placed in the Aron Hakodesh, Rabbi Yosef Braun made a Shehecheyanu and encouraged the community to strengthen their commitment in refraining from talking during Torah reading time.
Additional photos of the event will be on the website www.simonssefertorah.com from Thursday 17th Sept and a recording of the broadcast can be viewed at www.simonssefertorah.blogspot.com
I believe i saw one of the Simons dancing by the telethon, keep it up!
Ksivah Vachsima Tovah
Benny and Chanie Amzalak as usual you did an incredible job of pulling off the impossible. Your hard work and dedication to this project and to the syndey community in general is outstanding. May hashem bless you and your entire family with all the Brochos. Wishing everyone a Ksiva Vchasima Tova, a Gut Gbentch Yar
what can be said, many shining lights are extinguished in their prime.
Only our Creators knows why and he will surely comfort their children siblings and parents
May G-d in his mercy end this bitter exile and bring us speedily to the Promised Land together with the resurrection of the dead who will descent from Gan Eden to greet us v’hem besachom
A Ksiva v’Chasima Tova to all our good friends in the Harbour City.
The Amzalak’s did a fantastic job!
Yasher Koach to all the organizers who made it happen.
great to have you on COLLIVE see you soon
O.B.S.M.F.