CMCH Atlanta Celebrates New Torah

The Chabad day school in Atlanta, CMCH (Chaya Mushka Children’s House), celebrated the completion of a new Sefer Torah this past Thursday.

Local businessman Jeff Rosengarten commissioned a small Sefer Torah to be written after seeing a picture of the Rebbe, holding his own small Sefer Torah, in the house of Rabbi Yossi New, the head shliach of Georgia.

A passionate believer in the importance of Jewish education, Jeff felt the best place for the Torah, dedicated in loving memory of his parents, would be the school.

“Passion for Jewish education has been in my family for generations”, Jeff said as he addressed the children. “My parents were heavily involved in Jewish education, my grandfather was the president of Toras Emes in Brooklyn, and he would love to come to the school and dance with the Children.”

After preparing for several days by learning about the laws and sanctity of a Sefer Torah, the excitement and energy among the students and staff on the day of the Siyum was palpable.
Students came dressed in Shabbos clothes and all had an opportunity to watch and assist the Sofer complete the final letters. There were Torah-themed crafts and activity stations, music, and
refreshments.

The program included reciting the 12 Pesukim, hearing words of inspiration from Mr. Rosengarten and Rabbi New, and retelling the story of the history and significance of the Rebbe’s Sefer Torah.

The children danced passionately in the parade and the Hakafos together with their teachers and radiated pure joy and pride, inspired by what they had experienced.

It was a unique opportunity for the students of CMCH, who spend most of their time at school learning Torah, to trace back that learning to an actual Sefer Torah and to feel the holiness, care, and love associated with its completion. Onlookers marveled at such a visual display of the Torah being joyously and lovingly passed along from one generation to the next. The day will be etched in the minds and hearts of all those who partook in the festivities for years to come.

To learn more about CMCH, visit www.cmchatlanta.org.