|
On September 10th 2000, 10th Ellul 5760 the Shul dedicated a new Sefer Torah in memory of the Shul's esteemed
warden Sol Weinstock.
The day began at 2.00pm at the Bury and Whitefield
Jewish Primary School. Seats were laid out and a table set
up on the stage. The new Sefer arrived and there followed an informal but moving and very joyous procedure of the completion
of the Sefer in front of the assembled congregation. After a brief opening welcome from head
teacher Mr Lewis, Rabbi Singer called up in groups those who
would have the honour of having a letter written in their
merit.
| Click on thumbnails
for larger image |
 |
 |
 |
Rabbi Schreibhand
completed each letter as the various honourees looked on. Every man and child in the room was afforded
this great mitzvah.
| Click on thumbnails for larger
image |
 |
 |
 |
Many Rabbonim and community leaders attended
and the day was honoured by the presence of Rev. David Grunsfeld,
former minister of the Shul, whom had flown specially from
Israel for the occasion.
When the ink had dried and the Sefer bound
and covered, a procession formed with the new Sefer carried
under a chuppah. The procession set out along Sunnybank Road
escorted by a police car and Harvey Rose lead the procession
in his car from which appropriate music was played. Several
yeshivah students sang and danced ahead of the chuppah. Two
hundred people walked slowly up the hill much to the amazement
and bemusement of local residents. The Ladies Guild held torches
whilst the men took it in turns to carry the Sefer and hold
the chuppah.
| Click on thumbnails for larger
image |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The procession eventually turned down
Hathaway Road and stopped momentarily outside the former home
of Sol Weinstock; a poignant and moving tribute to the man
who had inspired the project just over a year before.
| Click on thumbnails for larger
image |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
When the Sefer reached the shul, there
were seven hakofot followed by speeches from Barry Goldstone,
chairman of the Sefer Torah committee, Rabbi Singer and David
Grunsfeld. This was followed by Minchah.
A reception
and a wonderful dinner followed with speeches from Rabbi Kupetz,
Chazan Weinstock and the late Rev Leslie Olsberg to complete what was a
truly memorable day. The Sefer is in regular use in the Shul on
Shabbos.
|
