Morristown Welcomes New Torah

This past Sunday August 25, Congregation Ahavath Yisrael, 9 Cutler Street, Morristown, New Jersey, celebrated a momentous event, that of completing a Sefer Torah, which brought together the Morristown Jewish community.

Rabbi Moshe Ber Zirkind, the 24 year-old son of the Congregation’s spiritual leader Rabbi Yaakov Zirkind, served as scribe. He learned his craft under the tutelage of his father, a well-know scribe, as is his grandfather Rabbi Eliezer Zirkind of Brooklyn, New York.

This project began right after Simchas Torah last year. The Shul members and others donated generously to enable the completion of this project, which took almost a year, including the purchase of a beautiful mantle, as well as other fine ornaments to beautify the Torah.

The celebration began with the completion of the final letters by members of the community as well as friends and dignitaries who came from near and far. Among them were Rabbi Shlomo Koenig, Yoka Rav Hatzoir of Boro Park, Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky from Crown Heights, Rabbi Zalman Wilschanski, spiritual leader of Congregation Levi Yitzchok at the Rabbinical College of America, and Rabbi Russoff, spiritual leader of Temple Bnai Or, Morristown. They were joined by public officials, including Mayor Steve Lonegan, candidate for U.S. Senate, and Councilman Stefan Armington, of Morristown.

Highlight of the celebration was a parade around the immediate neighborhood, escorting the Torah to its new place of honor in the holy ark of the synagogue. Young and old danced along behind the new Torah, accompanied by lively music, to the delight of residents who came out to take in the spirit of joy. The Morristown Police Department served as escorts and diverted traffic.

Shul members then carried out Torah scrolls from the synagogue to escort and welcome the new Torah, followed by the traditional chanting of Ata Ha’raisa and Hakafos. The Siyum concluded with a festive dinner, at which Rabbis Koenig, Zirkind, and Bogomilsky addressed the assembled celebrants.

Participants expressed their great enthusiasm for this inspiring event. Among the comments, “As a former fundraiser and party planner and caterer, I know how much work goes into an event like this, and I have to say it was flawless and beautiful.” Another reaction was, “This was such a happy event. It made me forget about all my troubles.”

Members of the Ahavath Yisrael Sisterhood enthusiastically helped with all the arrangements.