We invite the public to participate in a Torah dedication ceremony for the unity of Israel. The event will take place at the Western Wall on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 9:45 PM Israel time, during the traditional Selichot prayer service, in memory of the victims and fallen of the Black Sabbath and the War of Iron Swords.
On the first anniversary of the October 7th attack and the outbreak of the war, a meaningful ceremony will take place at the Western Wall. A unique Torah scroll, dedicated to the memory of those who were lost, will be placed in the holy ark. Each letter of this scroll was lovingly inscribed by bereaved families, wounded IDF soldiers, and families of hostages, in a journey that symbolizes the resilience of the Jewish people and serves as a powerful call for unity, remembrance, and hope.
The Background
During the High Holy Days on the Jewish calendar, powerful Selichot gatherings are held at the Western Wall, drawing thousands from Israel and around the world. These late-night events feature special prayers and traditional piyyutim, creating a uniquely spiritual atmosphere. The tradition of Selichot, deeply rooted in Jewish heritage, seeks God’s forgiveness and redemption for the transgressions of the past year. The Western Wall plaza, illuminated by flickering candlelight and filled with the sounds of heartfelt prayers, fosters a profound connection to this sacred site and the meaningful moments leading up to Yom Kippur. These gatherings embody the unity of the Jewish people and invite every Jew to enter the new year with a sense of purity and spiritual renewal.
The Challenge
The devastating terrorist attack and the subsequent war inflicted a heavy toll, resulting in significant loss of life, physical and psychological injuries, and a deep impact on the social resilience of the State of Israel. Simultaneously, a surge in global anti-Semitism has heightened the sense of anxiety and pain. In this context, the Selichot events of 2024 hold particular significance, offering a chance for the Jewish people in Israel and around the world to unite in prayer and hope for a better future.
The Opportunity
On the anniversary of the devastating attack, a heartfelt ceremony of unity and remembrance will take place at the Western Wall. A unique Torah scroll, written over the past year in memory of those murdered in the massacre and those who fell in the subsequent war, will be placed in the Holy Ark. This initiative, led by Haim Taib, President and Founder of the Menomadin Foundation, in collaboration with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz Shlita, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Places, will culminate in the scroll being presented to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
The letters of the Torah scroll were inscribed by bereaved families, wounded IDF soldiers, families of hostages, released captives, and families of victims, during a powerful and meaningful journey across Israel and abroad. This sacred scroll was written at the sites of the massacre, including the Nova Festival grounds in Re’im and the communities surrounding Gaza, such as Ofakim, Netivot, and Sderot. It also traveled to Poland, to the Jewish synagogue in Krakow, and participated in the March of the Living at the Auschwitz death camp, as part of a special delegation of Holocaust survivors and survivors of the October 7 events. The journey of the Torah scroll culminates at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on October 7, 2024, symbolizing the resilience and rebirth of the Jewish people in their historic homeland. The Torah scroll carries with it the profound pain of the Jewish people in the wake of the tragedy that has struck Israeli society. It symbolizes the urgent need for unity between Jewish communities in Israel and the Diaspora, and for a resolute stand against evil. Above all, this unique Torah embodies the hope that from destruction and sorrow will emerge growth, renewal, and a flourishing future.
