Woodside Park stops traffic to celebrate the arrival of a new Sefer Torah
Woodside Park United Synagogue on Sunday was out in force to celebrate the arrival of a new Sefer Torah.
The roads around the shul were closed as crowds gathered to dance, sing, and enjoy such a special event for the shul.
The Sefer Torah was dedicated in memory of Jennifer, whose family have been associated with the shul for many years.
Jennifer grew up in a Jewish community in north-west London. She trained both as a secretary and a teacher before living and working in Israel for some years. Subsequently, she helped to run the family publishing company of Soncino Press in both London and New York. While in America, Jenni (as she was also known) started teaching at Jewish day schools, and it soon became clear that teaching was her true vocation. It was work that brought together her Jewish background and knowledge, her love of Yiddishkeit, her capabilities as an educator, and her willingness to help others whenever she could.
The family’s decision for this wonderful dedication was made in the realisation that so much of what was important to Jennifer, and so many of the traits that made up her character, are embodied in Jewish scriptures and teachings. Jennifer helped to pass on the lessons of the Torah to the children of Am Yisroel, so it seemed fitting that she should be remembered through the dedication of a Sefer Torah in her name.
Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu was the Guest of Honour at the dedication. A cousin of the family he told the large gathering that in the material world there is nothing that is eternal, and that permanency can only come from the spiritual. He went on to say that the Torah therefore symbolises eternity and as it is dedicated in Jennifer’s name it will have an impact for eternity in its teachings which were demonstrated in Jennifer, she radiated goodness of heart and character, had deep humanity, charm, and an unswerving faith in Hashem, demonstrating spiritual fortitude which remained undaunted even in the darkest days. Her inheritance like the Torah will live on in generations to come.
Jennifer’s nephew Nick will be the first to leyn from this special Sefer Torah this Shabbat.
