Photos: Aliza McKinnon
The Houston High Holiday season was enhanced with the inauguration of a new Sefer Torah at Chabad West Houston.
Rabbi Dovid Goldstein (aka #Rabbired) and Mrs. Elisa Goldstein welcomed congregants and rabbis to their Chabad house from across Houston’s broad spectrum.
Community members participated in this spiritually unifying ceremony by buying a letter, word, or passage and then having a chance to write in the scroll while being assisted by the Sofer. In addition to servicing their community and Chabad House, the Goldsteins are also involved in and direct Friendship Circle Adult Division of Houston; Nefesh Network (Mental Health Awareness); Camp Gan Israel Houston and #Rabbired also serves as Head Chaplain for Jewish Inmate Services for Texas Prisons. Many constituents from all the above mentioned organizations participated which brought an extra Hakhel feeling to the event.
The Head Shluchim of Texas, Rabbi Shimon and Mrs. Lazaroff were present as well as many other shluchim from around Texas.
The Sefer Torah was generously donated in memory of Mr. Yosef Tuchshneider and Mrs. Maggie Saluk, OBM.
After the completion of the Torah by sofer Rabbi Shmuel Klein, there was a procession around the block and the Chabad West Houston building which continued inside with joyous singing, dancing and a festive buffet.
Rabbi Goldstein commented that “this was such a meaningful start to the year of Hakhel in which Jews from all walks of life could celebrate in unison around the Torah. As the community in West Houston grows – we look forward to more gatherings from the young to the old and community-wide celebrations together.”
Video presentation: Chana Backman – Chanabackmanvideo.com
Amazing Rabbi Red….Hatzlacha!
So nice to see Torah in Texas! and faces from the other side of the country!
Beautiful! Mazel tov!