When the event was planned, no one on the organizing committee knew what to expect. It was a first for the Shaare Zion Torah Center.
Rebecca Harary met with a small group of Torah Center supporters to decide what would be an appropriate fund raising event for the foremost Torah Learning Center in our community.
Classes are held seven days a week—morning, afternoon and night at Shaare Zion. Participants are mainstream men, women and children from all areas of Brooklyn. They come together and fill every available classroom, learning at all levels from beginner to advanced.
After rejecting several options, Steven Feldman said, “How about a Torah dedication? Isn’t that the most appropriate way to raise money for an educational program?” And so it was. Committees were formed, meetings held and under the leadership of Steven Feldman, the project was launched. Shaare Zion committee members Marc J. Faham and Joe Mansour worked diligently to keep things moving towards a successful event. Mousa Saad, who excited everyone at the outset with his enthusiasm and hard work, emailed everyone progress reports on the new supporters who contributed to the Torah Center.
After the search for a beautiful Torah was completed, Viri and Meyer Kassab, Gladys and Albert Kassin, Merle and Jack Kassab, and Susan and Joseph Zeitoune generously donated the Torah and its magnificently-styled silver case in memory of their parents Morris and Sophie Kassab A”H. Victoria and Marshall Aronow offered their beautiful Ocean Avenue home as the venue for the event. Caterers, music and invitations completed the plans as the day drew close.
The morning was bright and clear and the attendees happy and upbeat. The guests were served a white glove brunch, which satisfied even the most discerning palates.
Each dedicating family had the opportunity to fill in letters to complete the writing of the Sefer Torah. Dancing and singing was spontaneous and upbeat, inspired by Hazan Yair Hamra who was accompanied by Eyal Amram. The case on display had a dedication inscribed in silver for each and every family who supported the event and, in turn, the learning of Sephardic traditions at the Torah Center that is thriving at the heart of our community—Shaare Zion Torah Center.
Torah Center director since its inception, Rabbi Raymond Beyda said, “Over the last 15 years we have grown a small project for Torah learning—initiated by Hacham Baruch Ben Haim A”H—into an all-encompassing program serving all segments of our community. We appreciate the support our community has shown financially and even more so in attending the classes. We hope that with Hashem’s help, we will grow even bigger and better in the years to come.”
