Festive
Torah
Welcoming Celebration
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Song.
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Sunday, April 29th, 2001 in memory of Procession on Fuller Rd, "sing and dance, and hold me high, as you carry me away, to the little wooden shul where I will stay.." |
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THE GEAR
100 Tambourines with imprinted stickers were distributed, to add to the festivity. These recall the original tambourines fashioned by the righteous Jewish women leaving Egypt - used in the song of Miriam at the Red Sea.
Four Candles accompanied the Torah which was carried under a chuppa (made of the bima cover in Shabbos House), in house-shaped candle-holders. This follows an European tradition, of welcoming the Torah with light.
The specially printed Souvenir Booklet had a small piece of the original fabric of the velvet Torah cover, as a momento for all celebrants. The verses said at the beginning of the procession as well as during the Hakafot were printed inside. It also listed the many sponsors who purchased letters in this Torah, enabling its purchase. Also included was humorous and enlightening self-portrait of a Torah, the Torah Song by Journeys and Highlights of Dr. O'Briens book. Some booklets are still available: e-mail shabbos@albany.net for your copy.
Inside Shabbos House an elaborate spread was set up, with various pasta dishes; pitas, veggies and dips; fruits and melons; and many cakes and cookies - as well as a huge Torah shaped cake (which was finished by the afternoon's end). Not to forget the drinks. Thank G-d it was a bright, warm sunny Sunday, and the drinks were iced and cold.
"A Life Examined, is a Life Worth Living" the book Dr. O'Brien wrote during his illness (a testament to the depth of his character and convictions as well as brilliance of his thought) was given to all particpants.
A beautiful Chuppah borrowed from Cong. Beth Abraham-Jacob, stood in the University Parking Lot adjacent to Shabbos House. The joyous Hakafot ceremonies took place around the Chuppah.
Pictures (and Video) by FRED RICARD Photograhy.
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| Mr. Dan Flax of the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY | Rabbi Paul Silton of Temple Israel, leading a
Hakafah, with Eli O'Brien in front. |
Mr. Ben Mendel carrying the Torah on Fuller Road. Carrying the Chuppah are UAlbany Students (L-R) Mike Kashani, Matt Freedman, Dan Marzouk & Seth Mellin. | |
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| The Torah Sticker (popularized nationally by Capital Chabad) worn proudly by many participants | Torah Procession leaving O'Brien Home on Providence Street. Among those visible in front are (L-R) Atara Marzouk, Rachel Commer, Rabbi Mendel, ZiZi O'Brien, Nadine Kochavi & Jason Nadell (holding candles), Seth Cohen, Marc Gronich, Sanford & Dina Rosenblum, Rabbi Galperin & Mr. Gronich. | ||
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| Hakafot ceremonies in University Parking Lot adjacent to Shabbos House. Chuppah courtesy of Cong. Beth Abraham-Jacob, Flags courtesy of Jewish War Veterans Post #105 | Signs adorning Shabbos House in honor of the event (streamers and balloons were added after this picture was taken). | ||
The People
9 Visiting Alumni added a great deal to the festive atmosphere. David Gosman, Ronen Segal, Nadine Kochavi, Rachel Commer, Jason Nadell, Jeff Wirtheim, Josh Fisch, Faith Zuckerberg, & Mitch Greene.
Many Thanks to these dedicated individuals and organizations for making this event possible: Mrs. Vicky O'Brien, Dr. Jerald O'Brien, Chaya Mushka Krimmer, Rabbi David Krautwirth, Guilderland Police, Yosef (Iosif) Tulchinsky, Cong. Beth Abraham-Jacob, Mike Kashani & Lchaim, Jewish War Veterans Post # 105, Stacey Wolinetz, Dan & Atara Marzouk, Yossi Rubin, Binyamin Simpson, The Jewish Holiday Guide, David Gosman (& PCamerica.com), Ronen Segal, Shaun Zeitlin, The Ufaratzta Fund, Alte Bracha Mishulovin, Soochie Sabol, Rivkie & Devorah Rubin, Shlima Astulin, Sarah Finkelstein, Nechama Kudan (the last 7 of the Maimonides High School), the Fantastic Freshman and the whole Shabbos House crew...
Leaving the O'Brien home on Providence Street, members of the O'Brien family and friends carried the Torah towards Shabbos House. Mr. Joseph O'Brien, Dr. Jerald O'Brien, Dr. James O'Brien, Dr. Blake Kessler, Dr. Donald Kaner, Mr. Ray Willig, and Zizi O'Brien (eldest son of the late Dr. Jonathan O'Brien).
Among the communal honorees carrying the Torah in the procession along Fuller Road and in the Hakafot... Mr. Ben Mendel, Mr. Dan Stracher, Mr. Sanford Rosenblum, Dr. Abe Sherer, Dr. Howard Rosenblatt, Mr. Dan Flax, Rabbi Paul Silton, Dr. Michael Scher, Chananya Rosenblum, Rabbi Avraham Laber, Rabbi Israel Rubin, Rabbi Shlomo Galperin, R' Leibel Morrison, Mr. Morris Losice, Dr. Arthur Brenner, Mr. David Liebshutz (Hillels NENY), Mr. Yaakov Yarmove, Dr. Bernard Teitelman, Mr. Yisrael Bindell, and others..
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| Freshman Marshall Haber | Freshman Andrew Schlussel | Alumnus Faith Zuckerberg holds candle (in house-shaped holder) accompanying the Torah under the Chuppah. |