Rabbi Groner Flies to Greet Torah

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Leibel Groner, who served as the Rebbe’s secretary for many decades, traveled to France this week to join the local Jewish community in welcoming a new Torah scroll.

He was provided 24-hour security with a bodyguard accompanying him during his short stay in the country which has recently been the target of terror attacks and anti-Semitic incidents.

The 85-year-old rabbi made the trip from New York at the invitation of Mr. Jordan Mordechai Benhamnou who has a close friendship with Rabbi Groner and is a member of Chabad of Vincennes S. Mande.

Yonathan dedicated the Torah in memory of his grandfather James Zeboulon ben Yaakov Ghrenassia OBM in a ceremony held at the historic Grand Synagogue of Tournelles in the heart of the Marais district of Paris, in which Mr. Ghernassia prayed.

Rabbi Yossef Taieb, who joined the ceremony, was present to translate Rabbi Groner’s warm words to the crowd in French.

Others partaking in the writing of the final letters in the scroll and joining the celebration was the synagogue’s Rabbi Yves-Henri Marciano, Rabbi David Zaoui of the affluent Neuilly Sur Seine and Rabbi Mordechai Gabison, Mashgiach of the Yeshiva of Vincennes.

Also in attendance was Rabbi Binyomin Hattab, Director of the Chabad Jewish school in Tunis, Tunisia, whose 21-year-old son Yoav Hattab was murdered in the Islamic terror attack on the Hypercacher store in Paris.

Following the formal event, Rabbi Groner sat with fellow rabbis and guests to share words of encouragement to strengthen their faith and observance of Mitzvos despite challenges. He continued on to visit the Chabad nursery in Vincennes.