Bais Shmuel Welcomes New Torah

Hundreds of community members turned out to celebrate the completion of a new Torah dedicated by Bais Shmuel Chabad congregation and the Junik family on Monday evening in Crown Heights.

The Torah, written by sofer Rabbi Moshe Klein, is dedicated to the memory of R’ Berl Junik obm and his wife Fruma ybl”t who was Nshei Chabad president in the early years, by their family and Bais Shmuel Chabad congregation.

Remembered as the epitome of a true Chossid, R’ Berl was privileged to escort Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson obm, the Rebbe’s mother, from Russia to Poking, Germany, which engendered a lifelong relationship with Beis Harav, including being Meshamesh Bakodesh for close to 50 years.

R’ Berl was extremely discreet about the happenings in the Rebbe’s home, and never divulged what he saw, not even to his family.

A diamond polisher by profession, R’ Berl also gave Shiurim in nigleh and Chassidus and went on Mivtzoim regularly. He also organized a Shiur for working bachurim, attended every class and cared for each bochur. He gave a very popular shechita class for over 45 years, instilling yiras Shomayim in all who attended.

The event began at the Junik home on Empire Blvd. with the writing of the final letters of the Sefer Torah.

The completed Torah was then escorted with joyous singing and dancing to Bais Shmuel Chabad in the Jewish Children’s Museum, where the traditional Hakafos were held.