Bistritzkys Dedication to Parents

Members of the Flatbush and Marine Park communities gathered on Sunday to celebrate the completion of a beautiful new Sefer Torah to Mayan Yisroel, a thriving shul and education center.

The Torah was dedicated by the Bistritzky families, as well as the Gold and Brociner families for the zechus of arichas yamim for their parents, Yosie and Sheila Bistritzky.

The event began at the home of Shloimie and Esther Rochel Bistritzky, where the sofer from Eretz Yisroel Rabbi Shneor Vigler was present to finish the letters of the Torah he wrote.

There to join in completing the final letters of the Sefer Torah were many esteemed neighborhood Rabbonim and chashuva guests, such as the Kloizenburger Rebbe and the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Kalmanowitz.

The Hachnasas Sefer Torah proceeded across Kings Highway as the Torah made its way to its new home at Mayan Yisroel on Avenue N. Mayan Yisroel is a unique community center that under the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Yoseph Vigler and his Rebbitzen provides dozens of spiritual and educational programs to the community at large. Throughout the year, thousands of people attend each of the numerous events held by Mayan Yisroel, and over 500 supporters from near and far attended their annual dinner.

The joyous procession to the shul included an elaborate float filled with young children and illuminated with torches.

Jewish singer Sruli Williger was on board, energizing the crowd with heartfelt niggunim. Everyone got a chance to kiss the Torah and join in hakafos inside the shul. There was a workshop inside where the children were entertained by arts and crafts in Safrus.

Following hakafos, the guests were treated to a Seudah featuring speakers such as Rabbi Reisman, who benched the Bistritzky families that they should be zoche to a Siyum on Shas as well, in honor of their parents.

Rabbi Vigler spoke about internalizing the special privilege of learning, which will give a Yid the will to make extra time for Torah learning, hence the special celebration and dancing at the Hachnosas Sefer Torah.

Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky, who flew in from The Valley in California for this event, related how a Yid in his Chabad house, with hardly any Jewish education, had been moved to tears when he learned the honor bestowed on a Torah scroll at a Hachnosas Sefer Torah. He had thought of a Torah as a museum artifact.

“We take it for granted,” said Rabbi Bistritzky, “until a Yid out there makes us realize just how remarkable this event is. What a zechus it is for grandparents to celebrate with the Torah surrounded by the nachas of dancing with all their children and ainiklach around them.”

Photos by Alex Gorohov – GlattPhotography.com