Hundreds of residents of Jerusalem’s Arnona neighborhood took part on Tuesday night in the first Torah scroll dedication ceremony for the local Bnei Akiva branch. The scroll was dedicated to the memory of Aner Shapira, described as a “hero of Israel” and a graduate of the movement.
The Arnona Bnei Akiva branch was founded about two years ago and has quickly grown to about 200 boys and girls. When it was established, the organizers approached Shapira’s sister, Tamar Shapira, and asked her to serve as the branch’s first youth leader. She agreed and led the branch in its early days.
A few months ago, the members decided to memorialize Aner Shapira by bringing the branch its first Torah scroll. Under the leadership of the current youth leader, Roni Nahman, and members of the Hevra Bet group, they launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised about 30,000 shekels for the project.
The money, together with additional donations and help from an organization that restores Torah scrolls, made the project possible. The ceremony closed the circle with a festive procession through the neighborhood streets with singing and dancing, followed by the scroll being placed in the synagogue ark at the branch.
