For the first time in many years, we were privileged to celebrate the re-dedication of a Torah Scroll, known in Hebrew as ‘Hachnasat Sefer Torah’.

Thanks to the generosity of Virginia and Robert Gould, our small Sefer was repaired and, where necessary, re-written by the renowned Sofer Ben Tsion Dansky from Manchester. Virginia commissioned the Sefer in memory of her late father, Ellis Fletcher, who was born and educated in Southport of one of the founding families of the Southport Kehilla.

The service of re-dedication was held at the beginning of September, in time for Rosh Hashanah. In the Beth Hamedresh, Sofer Dansky completed the final letters on the new Sefer with the help of Robert Gould and a new cover was dedicated in memory of Ellis Fletcher.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sefer was dressed and carried under a canopy to the shul, where the existing Torah scrolls were brought out to greet the new one. The re-dedicated Sefer Torah was then placed in the Ark, ready to be used for many Shul services. The formal proceedings were then followed by a celebration tea in the Amelan Hall. There were tributes to Ellis Fletcher, Virginia and the family by Southport Hebrew Congregation Chairman Michael Braham and a number of the family members who had travelled from near and far, including Liverpool, Manchester, Gateshead, Edinburgh and London, to witness this special occasion.