December 2, 2012 / 18 Kislev 5773 10:13 am Israel Time

500 Olim (immigrants) from Ethiopia who arrived in Israel in recent weeks celebrated as they inaugurated a new Torah scroll at The Jewish Agency for Israel's Ibim Absorption Center in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council (north of Sderot). The "Hachnasat Sefer Torah" ceremony is one of the happiest events within the Jewish lifecycle. The Sefer Torah was donated by Charles and Ariela Zeloof. Just last week, the olim had been forced to sit in bomb shelters and protected rooms due to the very real threat of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Yehuda Sharf,  Director  of the Aliyah, Absorption & Special Operations Unit at The Jewish Agency said, "This was a moving event and reflects the amazing resilience of these recent olim who, like all the residents of Southern Israel, had to face an onslaught of rocket fire in recent weeks'

For additional information call Benjamin Rutland on 052 6091099

Photo credit: Ofer Baram, The Jewish Agency for Israel