Welcoming our Moriah Children’s Sefer Torah

There are some events that are so heart-warming and filled with such emotion that they’re difficult to describe. Last Friday, Moriah welcomed a new Children’s Sefer Torah to Moriah, in a moving and inspirational Hachnasat Torah Dedication Ceremony. It was a day filled with profound meaning, a day that celebrated not only the Torah but also the enduring spirit of the Jewish people and the importance of Jewish education.

Honouring Moriah’s 80th anniversary, the Children’s Sefer Torah is a tribute to the thousands of children who have received a Moriah education over the years, and the thousands more who will continue to do so in the future.

The dedication ceremony began with the completion of the final letters of the Torah, a moment of deep significance. Underneath a Chuppah, the Torah then made its journey through the entire campus, with all our Early Learning, Primary School, and High School students participating in the parade. Singing, dancing, and reaching out to kiss the Torah as it passed, it was a collective expression of love and unity.

Students representing both Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions read from the scroll. The verses they read described the transfer of the mantle of leadership to the next generation, a reminder of the legacy of our faith.

The Torah was finally escorted to the Aron Ha Kodesh in the Hugo Lowy Synagogue, where our Primary School choir joyously sang Eitz Chayim Hi. It was a moment that filled the hearts of all present with immense pride.

The Dedication concluded with the singing of the Hatikvah, and as guests moved to the Shuk Iraqi for a Seudat Mitzvah, the air was filled with a sense of celebration.

We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Sekers family and the many members of our Moriah family who participated in this important mitzvah of writing the Sefer Torah. Their dedication ensures that all our children, from early learning to Year 12, will regularly connect with our new Children’s Sefer Torah and learn about its central importance to
Jewish life.

Throughout the journey of the Jewish people, the Torah has been our faithful companion, guiding us, sustaining us, and lighting our path. This Hachnasat Sefer Torah could not have come at a more important time as we find ourselves in a challenging period.

When our heroic brothers and sisters are fighting for our right to exist in peace in our homeland, the Mitzvot our children will perform with our new Torah take on added significance. They become a blessing for the people of Israel and the land of Israel, strengthening our children’s pride in their Jewish identity and their unwavering commitment to our modern orthodox Zionist values.

With heartfelt wishes for peace in Israel, for the safety and security of our IDF, and for the swift and safe return of the hostages, we stand united.

Am Yisrael Chai.