By COLlive reporter
Photos: Hagit Bibi
Chabad of West Houston in Texas, directed by Shluchim Rabbi Dovid and Elisa Goldstein, has had the merit to welcome two sefer Torahs in one Hakhel year (One in Tishrei and one in Iyar).
The second Hachnasas Sefer Torah was held on Lag BaOmer, honoring the first yartzeit of the father of the Goldstein families, R’ Isser Leib Goldstein OBM, a Crown Heights chossid who passed at the age of 75 last year.
The Torah was generously donated by his children Feivel Goldstein, Rabbi Dovid Goldstein, Rabbi Reuven Goldstein and Chavie Rubinstein to the Chabad House sanctuary in West Houston.
“Our father’s journey in Judaism started when he bought two letters in a Torah in 1981. He was living and working in McAllen, Texas when a rabbi showed up to his shop.
“Rabbi Sholom Ber Schapiro was doing some business in Texas and the Lubavitcher Rebbe told him not leave the town until he signed up two children to buy letters in a Sefer Torah. It was not an easy task to find two Jewish children in that area.
“From that day on, our father dedicated his life to Hashem and one of the last things he told his children before he passed was that he is so proud to be a Jew. How fitting it is now that our families are honoring him with a Sefer Torah. We know this will surely make his Neshama have so much nachas, joy and peace.”
After completing the Torah scroll with scribe Rabbi Dovid Ehretreu, members from across the Houston community paraded around the perimeter of the property and into the street. This was followed by hakafos and a lavish buffet. Children enjoyed bounce houses, bow and arrow shooting and roasting marshmallows.
“This Hakhel year is the first yartzeit of our dear father- exactly six Hakhel cycles after he purchased those two letters in McAllen, Texas, bringing his life full circle,” commented Rabbi Dovid Goldstein.
VIDEO:
What a fitting tribute and an awesome event!
Wow, this is unbelievable. Amazing beautiful thank you