On Sunday 14th June 2015, the streets of East St Kilda were buzzing with excitement, celebrating the completion of a new Sefer Torah for Chabad Youth.
The Torah was donated to Chabad Youth by the Susskind and Abush families in memory of Boaz Susskind, a beautiful child taken from us too soon.
Members of the community were given the opportunity to purchase letters from the Sefer Torah, bringing the community together in fulfilling the very special mitzvah of participating in the writing of the Sefer Torah.
The final letter writing was held on Sunday morning at the Gurewicz Early Learning Centre in Gan Boaz, an interactive garden in the preschool dedicated to the memory of Boaz Susskind.
Following the completion of the writing of the Torah, the traditional procession commenced with over 500 people joining together in unity to dance with the Sefer Torah with roaming music blaring. The Torah was passed around to different members in the community, while being held under a portable Chuppa.
As the new Sefer Torah arrived at its new home in the Chabad Youth Centre, it was ‘greeted’ by the other Torahs. Lively dancing and Hakofos ensued.
The community were then invited to a beautiful meal, a seudah, at the Werdiger Family Hall where they enjoyed a delicious lunch and a range of uplifting speeches.
The Sefer Torah will be used in Chabad Youth and Camp Gan Israel, a place of spirit and love, where the soul and memory of Boaz will be an integral part of the Chabad Youth and CGI family.
. Attending a siyum Sefer Torah for a beautiful child taken too soon was a bitter sweet .
But it is Ilana Benyomin Avi Sue Yossi Kathy and their families who truly inspire us. We will never forget Boaz and wish you all only nachas and Simcha’s. Rabbi Moishe Kahn and da Minyan deserve to house such a beautiful Sefer Torah.
The Simcha with which everybody celebrated the day was a refelection of the love the Melbourne Jewish Commuinty feel for the outstanding generous Susskind family who both parents and children have given thousands of hours to all Chabad activities.
Little Boaz can watch from up high and be proud of the and feel so lucky that he is part of this family.
Moshe and Dina
You guys are amazing, keep up the great work you are doing.
We love you dearly and so does the whole Melbourne community
It was such a beautiful simcha in so many ways! This Torah is an eternal memory for Boaz a’h who we all davened for! May you all have arichas yomim full of simchas and lots of yiddishe nachas from baby sammy ka’h till 120!
Melbourne is lucky to have you.
Hashem should bench you with only good in your lives. Much like the goodness and kindness that you cheerfully and endlessly give to others