Jewish Pride in Brighton Beach

By COLlive Staff

Close to a thousand people celebrated the welcoming of a new Sefer Torah of the Chabad Neshama Center of Brighton Beach, to the sounds of blaring Jewish music in the streets.

The overflowing crowd of adults and children, from mostly Russian Jewish families, marched proudly in the celebration of their Jewishness, something their families were unable to do in the Soviet Union.

Wearing special Torah Parade shirts and crowns, carrying flags and theme balloons they eagerly embraced and kissed the new Torah as they sang out loud in English and Russian, “I’m a Jew and I’m proud!”

The Torah was donated by Helen Zegerman Schwimmer, in memoryof her parents, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary since she and her husband Dr. Richard Schwimmer received a blessing from the Rebbe and became close friends with Rabbi Zushe and Esther Winner, Head Shliach and founder of the Chabad Center. Helen and Rebbetzin Winner later made the award winning video “A Taste of Shabbos” and traveled throughout the country inspiring audiences with their story.

After completing the final letters of the Torah, the parade started in front of the Seabreeze Jewish Center, where Rabbi Winner serves as the spiritual leader. Helen, together with Reb. Esther Winner, followed the marchers in a horse drawn coach. The parade continued onto Ocean Parkway to the Chabad Neshama Center where Hakofos dancing concluded the parade, followed by an acrobatic performance by the French Twins.

As the procession crossed Brighton Beach Avenue, with many more watching from the balconies of the high rise buildings, a visibly moved senior said in her heavy Russian accent, “This is the happiest moment in my life. Next year in Yerushalayim!”

Rabbi Avrohom Winner of Chabad of Manhattan Beach is actively involved in a campaign for a new Torah scroll for the Chabad Neshama Center serving the community of Manhattan Beach.

For more info about all the programs and activities of Chabad Lubavitch of West Brighton and Manhattan Beaches visit their website: www.chabadneshama.com