Judaism’s most revered symbols – the Torah scrolls – were honored with a gala procession through Sheepshead Bay to celebrate the rededication of the holy scriptures at Congregation Beth Shalom of Kings Bay.
The milestone was marked by a march, hailing the repair and rededication of the first of three Torahs at the synagogue, 2710 Avenue X, which after extensive work and preparation have been deemed “koshered” and ready to be re−introduced to the community.
The scrolls comprise the Five Books of Moses, all meticulously handwritten by expert scribes and accompanied by a distinguished local history. For thousands of Russian Jews, who have poured into the community, the open demonstration of love for the scrolls is a triumph over the tyranny they suffered under Communist rule.
Participants had the opportunity to commemorate, or honor, family and friends by inscribing letters onto the holy books, viewed by the faithful as being the secret to Jewish survival.