Rabbi Waldman, surrounded by new Ethiopian olim, helps welcome the Torah scroll
to Kibbutz Ayelet Hashachar absorption center.

August 24, 2008 / 23 Av 5768

On August 19, 2008 a delegation from the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale from New York visited Kibbutz Ayelet Hashachar to present an Ethiopian community with the most meaningful gift a Jewish community could receive: a Torah scroll. This gift was made possible by the invaluable efforts of Rabbi Waldman, an inspiring activist helping ensure aliyah and conversion of Ethiopian immigrants. He laid the base for connection between the absorption center and the Riverdale Synagogue community.

Jewish Agency absorption centers such as the one found on Ayelet Hashachar offer vulnerable immigrants such as the Ethiopian communities a supportive environment during the difficult transition period following their arrival. Newcomers receive the tools they need for achieving independence, including access to Hebrew classes, cultural and social activities, retraining programs and empowerment workshops, educational intervention and counseling to acclimate residents to life in Israel.

Ayelet Hashachar is located 20 minutes from the holy city of Safed, and is surrounded by breathtaking views and crisp mountain air. Music blared from the center’s entrance, and the Ethiopian olim danced in small circles around their children, smiles emblazoned on their faces as the Riverdale delegation approached, led by Rabbi Barry Dov Katz. New Yorkers were pulled into the circles to join in the celebration. Their gift was flown all the way from America to Israel. After being carefully removed from the bus, the Torah was handed to an impassioned Ethiopian man standing beneath a red velvet chuppah. He danced together with Rabbi Katz under the covering, hugging the scroll to his body.

Inside the center's synagogue, Americans were invited to sit among the Ethiopian community as Rabbi Katz told the incredible story of the Torah’s journey. An Ethiopian translator beside him shared the story in Amharic.

The scroll originally belonged to a Russian and Polish immigrant community in the United States an estimated one hundred years ago. Over the years, the children of the community moved away and the congregation shrunk; its doors eventually closed, leaving behind their beautiful Torah scroll.

The Riverdale synagogue members took it upon themselves to transport this scroll to a new group of immigrants from Ethiopia, who recently fulfilled their dream of moving to Israel.

After the Torah was presented, merkaz klitah and Jewish Agency representative Dorit Hyman addressed the crowd. Her voice surged with pride and gratitude as she thanked the Riverdale synagogue community. "This absorption center, and the incredible programs run here are made possible with the help of communities like yours. We are partners in the task of absorbing and giving opportunity to the Ethiopian communities. The best gift a person can have is the ability to help those in need."

Post reception, members of the Riverdale delegation interacted with Ethiopian children in a bomb shelter which only two years before had been used by the children's parents as Kassam rockets rained down on the surrounding hillsides. Together they played games and drew butterflies. At the end of the visit hugs were exchanged, and children sang, "thank you, thank you!" as the group departed. The absorption center community was left to continue their daily classes, and look forward to the coming Shabbat service when they could unroll their incredible new Torah.