Friendship Circle to Welcome Torah

The Friendship Circle invites the community to a one-of-a-kind Siyum and Hachnosas Sefer Torah.

The Yom Tov of Succos is a most joyous one, culminating with the great day of Simchas Torah. Two years ago, The Friendship Circle of Brooklyn held its first ever “Family Hakofos” on Simchas Torah. It is explained that one of the reasons we do not celebrate the Torah by learning extra, rather by having it wrapped, dressed in its beautiful Mantel, and by dancing together – as one, is to display how the Torah is for each and every Jew. No matter what one’s level of commitment or level of learning and understanding of the Torah, the Torah is his/her “Yerushah” inheritance from the Aibershter. The Torah unites all Jews together as one!

At The Friendship Circle’s Hakofos, that message was highlighted to its fullest extent. Children with special needs, who may not be able to learn and/or understand even the basics of Torah, danced along, whether from their wheelchair or needing assistance to join in. The joy for Torah was palpable. Words cannot describe the feeling in the air, as the special children marched around singing and clapping, each holding their own “Torah”, having it kissed by the men and woman in the room. ALL the children felt a part of this great joy of Torah. As one father noted afterwards, “Tonight I felt like I danced with the Baal Shem Tov.”

It was after this emotionally charged Hakofos that Yossi and Libby Chein commissioned a Sefer Torah to be written in honor of their dear son, Boruch Shneur, who has Down syndrome, and in honor of all the children in our community with special needs.

“Despite our need for a Torah at all our Shabbos and Yom Tov Minyanim, we did not have a chance to dream about having our own one yet,” said Chani Majesky, Director of FC. “We were blown away when the Cheins presented this idea to us. We are very touched and honored to welcome this Torah to our Minyanim.”

A Torah like any other – but a Torah that is truly one-of-a-kind! This Torah represents the love Hashem has for ALL His children, no matter what their abilities may be, a Torah that truly unites us all as one.

Please join us on Sunday, September 7th – 12 Elul, in celebrating the joy of inclusion, the joy of unity, the joy of Torah!

Be a part of this momentous occasion. Kindly visit FCBrooklyn.com/NEWTORAH, donate generously and become a part of this celebration.

The Friendship Circle would like to thank Cross River Bank for their generous support and for being the “Parade Sponsors” at this event.