Gur Orphans Dedicate Torah Scroll in Memory of Their Parents in Ashdod

Dozens of orphaned boys and teens from the Gur Hasidic community, together with the organization Ben Yakir, completed and dedicated a new Torah scroll in Ashdod in memory of their late parents. The scroll was written over several weeks as part of an emotional campaign in which the children were brought to the homes of leading rabbis and asked to each write a letter in the Torah.

Among those who welcomed the children and gave blessings were Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, several other senior rabbis and rebbes, and a number of prominent Gur figures. The final completion ceremony took place at the home of Shlomo Tzvi Alter, son of the Gur rebbe, and was attended by rebbes, public figures and community leaders including Knesset member Yitzhak Goldknopf, Bnei Brak mayor Chanoch Zeibert and Gur activist Moti Babchik.

During the ceremony, the Torah’s wooden rollers were unveiled with the names of all the deceased parents engraved on them. A celebratory procession then moved through the streets of Ashdod, where thousands of residents joined the celebration. Back at the orphanage, the children, grandparents, siblings and uncles danced for a long time with Shlomo Tzvi Alter, who was seen embracing the boys warmly throughout the event.

After the Torah was placed in the ark at the organization’s residence, the gathering continued with a festive meal at the Gur seminary halls in Ashdod. The seudah began at 8 p.m. and lasted until nearly 4 a.m., with speeches by Ben Yakir director Rabbi Yisrael Ashkenazi, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Shlomo Tzvi Alter and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pomeranz. Musical performances were led by Zvika Levin’s orchestra, the Neranena choir, and singers Zanvil Weinberger, Aharle Samet, Dovela Friedman and Moshe David Weissmandl.