Following receiving a Sefer Torah along with 36 other communities around the world at the International Kinus Hashluchim a few months ago, Chabad of Turks and Caicos Islands held a grand welcoming ceremony for their new Torah with prominent guests joining the community in celebration.
The Torah could not have come at a better time for the community. In the short three years since Rabbi Shmulik and Chaya Berkowitz have moved to Turks and Caicos to establish the first Chabad presence on the island, they have managed to build a beautiful and bustling community of locals, second homeowners, and tourists. With the recent launch of a weekly Shabbos Minyan, a permanent Torah was essential and Chabad TCI could not have been more grateful to be chosen to receive this special gift at the perfect time.
The Torah was dedicated in honor of Devorah Chana bas Menachem Mendel OBM, the late wife of Mr. Ben Philipson who together with his son Avi, made the trip to the Island for this momentous occasion. The vice chairman of Merkos, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, along with Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, and Rabbi Yitzchok Gniwisch were also present to witness this exciting and historic step for the Jewish community.
Joining the many locals and tourists was the Premier of Turks and Caicos Islands, the Honorable Charles Washington Misick, who publicly thanked Rabbi Berkowitz for being instrumental in boosting the Island’s economy, attracting many Jewish tourists and second homeowners.
The event, consisting of lively dancing, music, and delicious food, concluded with the Torah being placed in its new forever home. Many locals expressed their joy and emotions to Rabbi Berkowitz, some with tears in their eyes, excited to see Chabad take a huge step in building a large Jewish presence on the Island.
