While many Jews both in the United States and in Israel watched their Thanksgiving Day Parades, football games, prepared their turkeys and trimmings and awaited their Thanksgiving dinner guests, in Eretz Yisrael, a Yeshiva located in Carmel, a Moshav south of Chevron, was preparing for a different kind of celebration.

Moshe and Shoshanna Schilit of Beit Shemesh covered the cost of restoration of a Sefer Torah, one of two Sifrei Torah donated by Phil Chernofsky on behalf of the OU Israel Center in Jerusalem. The family dedicated the Sefer Torah in memory of Moshe Schilit's parents and in honor of their oldest son Natan who is an Avere'ich at the Yeshiva.

Buses brought invited guests from Beit Shemesh and from other venues in order to take part in a Gala Hachnasat Sefer Torah Celebration and Seudat Mitzvah.

The celebration procession and dancing from the Main Beit Knesset of Carmel to the Yeshiva was rich with Ru'ach and as the sun set, many lit the customary torches were lit adding to a spirit of Achdut and thanksgiving.

As the Sefer Torah was placed in it's Aron HaKodesh where it will be housed when not in use for laining, dancing, etc., one could see tears of joy and rememberance well in Moshe Schilit's eyes. Tears of joy that he and his family have made a Yeshiva whole, as a true Mokom Torah and of rememberances of his parents.

Once the Sefer Torah was placed in it's Aron HaKodesh, everyone returned to the Main Beit Knesset where a delicious dinner was served and Divrei Torah spoken.

Elazar ben Harosh, the Yeshiva director served as MC and Natan Schilit spoke on behalf of the Schilit family. Also speaking Divrei Torah were HaRav Ohev-Tzion, the Rav of the Moshav and HaRav Natan Ofner, the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Re'uta.

The celebration was rich in warmth and spirit and The Sefer Torah Recycling Network was deeply honored to have been able to play a role in facilitating the donation and placement of the Sefer Torah in Yeshiva Re'uta.


Photo coverage of the event - see below.