Torah Celebration Marched Through NYC’s Times Square

In honor of Rabbi Shea Hecht’s 70th birthday, Toys for Hospitalized Children proudly commissioned a special Torah, the Children’s Healing Torah, dedicated to bringing comfort and hope to hospitalized and homebound children.

The Children’s Healing Torah was created with a special mission: to bring strength, warmth, and connection to children facing illness. Designed as a traveling Torah, it will be taken to hospitals and homes to uplift young patients during meaningful milestones, like bar mitzvahs, holiday readings such as the Aseret Hadibrot on Shavuot, or during a difficult time in treatment. It is also lovingly loaned to children recovering from long-term illness at home, giving them a powerful sense of inclusion and Jewish pride. The beautifully crafted Aron Kodesh, built by Sabol Woodcraft, helps create a sacred, comforting presence wherever the Torah travels.

The Torah’s completion ceremony took place in the heart of Times Square, where the final five Hebrew letters of the word Yisroel were written by five remarkable individuals: Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski; Hagai Angrest, father of Israeli hostage Matan Angrest; Maurice Schneider, uncle of the Bibas family; Yarden Pinhas, an 8-year-old patient battling leukemia; and Rabbi Shea Hecht.

Rabbi JJ Hecht, President of Toys for Hospitalized Children, shared:
“This Torah will bring tremendous joy to children battling illness. We are excited to see the impact it will have on those who need it most.”

The joyous event included lively music, dancing, and a vibrant march through the streets of New York City, capturing the spirit of community and celebration. Cantor Shalom Jacobs led a heartfelt Mi Sheberach prayer for all the soldiers and hostages, offering spiritual strength and solidarity. The Birchat Kohanim was broadcast live on the big screen, led by Toys for Hospitalized Children Chairman, Mr. Eli Cohen, adding a powerful moment of blessing to the ceremony.

Notable attendees included mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, who joined in support of the initiative and the community it uplifts.

Toys for Hospitalized Children invites families and caregivers of homebound or hospitalized children who would benefit from this unique Torah experience to contact them at [email protected] or via social media @ToysforHospitalizedChildren.