Gur orphaned children dedicate Torah scroll in memory of their parents in Ashdod

Dozens of orphans and young men from the Gur Hasidic organization "HaBen Yakar" took part in a deeply emotional הכנסת ספר תורה, bringing a new, ornate Torah scroll into their orphan home in Ashdod. The scroll was written, according to the article, with tears and longing for the souls of their late fathers and mothers. The ceremony was described as unlike anything the oldest Gur Hasidim or longtime Ashdod residents could remember.

The celebration began weeks earlier with a spiritual journey in which the children visited major rabbinic figures across Israel to write letters in the scroll and receive blessings. Among those who hosted and blessed them were Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, Rabbi Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, Rabbi Nissim Ben Simon, Rabbi Baruch Finkel, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, and several Hasidic leaders, including the rebbes of Rachmastrivka, Machnovka-Belz, Dushinsky, Nadvorna, Modzitz, Alexander, and Sadigura.

The completion of the scroll took place at the Ashdod home of Rabbi Shlomo Tzvi Alter, son of the Gur Rebbe, with the participation of rabbis and public figures including Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter, Rabbi Yitzhak Goldknopf, Bnei Brak Mayor Hanoch Zeibert, and Gur activist Moti Babchik. During the final letters, the guests and children danced for a long time, and the Torah scroll’s wooden rollers were engraved with the names of all the deceased parents of the children in the organization.

A large procession then carried the Torah through Ashdod, drawing thousands of residents who joined the celebration. When it reached the orphan home, dancing continued, with Rabbi Shlomo Tzvi Alter embracing and dancing with the children one by one. The scroll was then placed in the ark, and the event moved to a festive meal at Gur seminar halls in the city, which began at 8 p.m. and lasted until nearly 4 a.m.

At the meal, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau spoke about the strength of orphans who find comfort in Torah, and said he too grew up as an orphan. Rabbi Shlomo Tzvi Alter and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pomerantz also addressed the gathering. Musical performances were led by Zvika Levin’s orchestra and the Narana choir, with singers Zanvil Weinberger, Ahrale Samet, Dovl Friedmann, and Moshe David Wismandel. The night ended with the new Torah scroll installed in Ashdod as a lasting source of comfort and strength for the HaBen Yakar children.