By COLlive reporter
A new Torah was dedicated on Monday, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, in memory of Rabbi Don Yoel Levy OBM, the longtime Kashrus Administrator who served at the helm of the OK Kosher Certification for over 30 years, until his untimely passing in 2020.
The ceremony was held in Crown Heights and organized by his family and OK Kosher following their annual Mashgiach Conference.
Notably participating from the Kashrus world leading figures, among them Rabbi Menachem M. Weissmandl, Rav of Nitra Monsey; Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, Nirbater Rav; Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO of OU Kosher; Rabbi Ari Senter, Kashrus Administrator of Kof-K; Rabbi Danny Senter, Kof-K; Rabbi Saul Emanuel, Director of Montreal Kosher (MK), and others.
In attendance were also Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Mazkir of the Rebbe and Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch; Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Shliach and Chief Rabbi of Dnipro, Ukraine; Rabbi Mordechai Abergel, Chief Rabbi of Singapore; Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302; and Lt. Special Assignment Yitzy Jablonsky of the NYPD.
After the completion of the letters, the Sefer Torah was danced through the streets from Ulam Chana to Beis Eliezer Yitzchok Shul. Lively hakafos in the shul and seudah followed the procession.
The siyum was opened with warm words from Rabbi Kamenetsky who spoke of Rabbi Levy’s dedication to helping him and his family and Shluchim worldwide. Words of chizuk and remembrance were shared by Rabbi Kalman Weinfeld, nephew of Rabbi Levy; Rabbi Weissmandl; Rabbi Yitzchok Hanoka, son-in-law of Rabbi Levy; Devorah Leah Chein, daughter of Rabbi Levy; and Rabbi Chaim Fogelman, son-in-law of Rabbi Levy.
