HISTORIC TORAH DEDICATION TO BE HELD

FernSidman

WHEN THE PAST MEETS THE FUTURE - HISTORIC TORAH DEDICATION TO BE HELD

New York - (August 16) - On Sunday, September 9, 2007, the internationally renowned outreach organization, Hineni, will be sponsoring a very unique Torah scroll dedication in accordance with the last commandment from the Torah.

The president and founder of Hineni, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis said, "The last commandment of the Torah requires each of us to write a Torah scroll. Since we are not equipped to fulfill this commandment on our own, as individuals, we have hired a scribe to do so and now, all of us can now participate in this great and holy mitzvah. This is a very special Sefer Torah as it is written in the Sephardic tradition and we are dedicating this Torah to the large number of Sephardic Jews in Israel, who are members of our Hineni organization. Many of these Sephardic Jews are victims of Arab terror, many are indigent, many come to us for spiritual nourishment. It is highly significant that this dedication is taking place in the Hebrew month of Elul, before Rosh HaShana, when we ask G-d to grant us forgiveness and for a good year ahead. We are also pleased to announce that this Torah scroll has been generously sponsored by our very dear Hineni friends, Debbie and Jimmy Lustig."

Rebbetzin Jungreis added, "What makes this dedication so rare and unique is that the new Sefer Torah will be greeted by a Torah scroll that belonged to my great, great grandfather, a very holy man who was known to be a miracle worker. When the Nazis came to power during WW II this Torah scroll was buried in the Hungarian soil by my grandfather and was subsequently unearthed by the Nazis and was slated to be placed in a Nazi-sponsored museum of Jewish artifacts. The goal of this propaganda by the Nazi regime was to prove that Jews once existed and how successful they were in totally eradicating any vestige of Jewish life.

Today, we are showing the world that from the flames of our past, we will usher in an era of hope and light for our future. With great love and unity, an Ashkenazic Torah from a previous generation will greet a Sephardic Torah for a future generation."

Hineni has extended an open invitation to this event. "We invite the entire Jewish community, all Jews from all persuasions, to join us at this most historic, once is a lifetime event. The ceremony will take place with the writing of the concluding letters of the Torah scroll on Sunday afternoon, September 9, 2007 at 4:30 pm at the home of our members, Alison and Jack Schneider, 10 East 75th Street, New York, NY. The lively and ceremonious Torah procession will begin at 6:30 pm, accompanied by fabulous song and dance, proceeding to the Safra Synagogue, 11 East 63rd Street, New York, NY. A festive collation will follow the ceremony and all participants are welcomed to partake."

Rebbetzin Jungreis concluded by saying, "I warmly welcome all of you to come. Be part of history. Fulfill this holy commandment. Become an active participant in your glorious Jewish heritage. Don't miss this historic event."

For further information please contact Hineni at: 212-496-1660 or visit our web site at: www.hineni.org
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FERN SIDMAN