Torah in Memory of Rabbi Berger

The Jewish community of Ottawa recently welcomed a brand new Sefer Torah.

The Torah was commissioned by Chabad of Centrepointe under the leadership of Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Mendelsohn. The Torah was written in memory of the late Rabbi Mordechai Berger, spiritual leader in the city of Ottawa for over 30 years.

Rabbi Berger was truly an amazing rabbi, loyal and faithful to Hashem, his family, and of course the Jewish community of Ottawa. He was intensely dedicated to his responsibilities as a community leader, caring for and patiently guiding countless individuals. With warmth and love he gave his heart and soul to all, the young the old, the rich the poor, the affiliated and the unaffiliated.

In addition to serving as the rabbi of the Young Israel of Ottawa, he also founded Ecole Maimonides Day School, the first french immersion Jewish school in Canada as well as Yeshivas Ateres Menachem, a one of a kind vocational high school. There are literally thousands of people who grew up in Ottawa who trace their appreciation and commitment to Judaism to Rabbi Berger’s comprehensive children’s programming including the very popular Gan Israel Day Camp.

The celebrations started at the home of Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Mendelsohn. Hundreds packed in to participate in this momentous event.

The final five letters of the Torah were inscribed by loyal supporters, friends and family of Rabbi Berger under the watchful eye of expert sofer Rabbi Dovid Cohen. They included Barry and Marcia Cantor, Laurie and Steven Gordon, Gladys and John Greenberg and Arnold Kimmel. Nota Berger, son of Rabbi Berger, from Los Angeles represented the Berger family and Rebbetzin Chaye Leah Berger with the inscription of the final letter.

Levi Berger and JJ Hecht, son and grandson of Rabbi Berger together with Pesach Nussbaum from Montreal were honoured with gelilah and crowning the Torah.

The celebration then continued with a grand march down Centrepointe Drive toward the Chabad house. The streets were closed by police. A beautiful float with blaring Jewish music led the procession. It was a major Kiddush hashem and a magnificent source of Jewish pride. Neighbours stood outside their homes and marveled at this unusual site, many of them filming the procession. The dancing continued outside Chabad with great enthusiasm and spirit.

Guests were then invited to a catered buffet dinner while the children were entertained with a special stuffed torah craft.

Rabbi Reven Bulka of Congregation Machzikei Hadas, colleague and friend of Rabbi Berger spoke about his long relationship with Rabbi Berger and his intense devotion to the Torah. Mr. Ron Podolsky an admirer and friend of Rabbi Berger movingly spoke of the deep void Rabbi Berger left with his passing and the need to learn from his patience and love for others.

Following the meal was a grand Hakafot celebration.

The Berger family wishes to acknowledge the support of David and Eda Schottenstein toward making this dream a reality.