This week, a festive ceremony took place to welcome a new Torah scroll to the 'Beit Menachem' Synagogue in Russia's northern capital. The scroll was given as a gift by the Barel family of Israel in honor of newlyweds David Ben Israel and Chava bat Tova Barel. The Barel family that contributed this significant gift is a regular supporter of the Jewish community of S. Petersburg.

The importance of this event, which took place on January 25th, was underlined by the fact that it involved not only all rabbis serving in S. Petersburg, but also guests from Moscow and further away, including Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and Mikhail Mirilashvili, who has just returned to live an active life in the Jewish community. Leaders and members of the Georgian Jewish community also participated.

Guests anxiously observed the Soifer. The final stage of writing the letters in the Torah was finalized in festive style, after which a festive procession took place on the street. The guests were then treated to a variety of national dishes and memorable gifts.

This celebration presented a perfect occasion to recall the importance of the Torah in the life of Jews. The Rabbi of the 'Beit Menachem' Synagogue, Bentsion Lipsker, expressed his gratitude to the Barel family on behalf of all S. Petersburg Jews. "I am delighted that the children studying at our school will be able to read the Torah scroll that you have given to us and to acquire our deep Jewish traditions," he commented.