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Boro Park Dedicates Sefer Torah L’ilu Nishmas Reb Yoel Kahan

On Sunday, 12 Sivan, community members, friends, family, Rabbanim, Roshei Yeshiva, Shluchim and supporters joined together for a day filled with unity, Torah, and inspiration as Bais Menachem Lubavitch of Boro Park, along with the talmidim and mekuravim of Reb Yoel Kahan, a”h, celebrated the completion of a Sefer Torah written l’ilui nishmas Reb Yoel • Full Story, Photos, Videos

On Sunday 12 Sivan, community members, friends, family, Rabbanim, Roshei Yeshiva, Shluchim and supporters joined together for a day filled with unity, Torah, and inspiration as Bais Menachem Lubavitch of Boro Park, along with the talmidim and mekuravim of Reb Yoel Kahan, a”h, celebrated the completion of a Sefer Torah written l’ilui nishmas Reb Yoel.

The Sefer Torah was written collectively by the kehilla, which is predominantly made up of Reb Yoel’s talmidim. It stands as a powerful testament to his profound influence after more than 50 years of teaching shiurim and farbrengens in Boro Park.

The event began at the home of R’ Mendel Sternhell, a close talmid of Reb Yoel Kahan and a longtime host during his Shabbos visits to Boro Park. A packed crowd gathered there to witness the writing of the final letters. From there the joyous procession filled the streets of Boro Park—closed to traffic for the occasion—with hundreds dancing and singing joyfully to live music as they made their way toward the shul on 16th Avenue.

The Sefer Torah was then brought into Beis Menachem, the longtime home of Reb Yoel’s shiurim, where hundreds of men, bochrim and children filled the men’s shul in a simchas Torah’diga atmosphere where energetic and joyful hakafos filled the shul. The celebration continued with a fully catered seudas mitzvah attended by a packed house. During the meal, R’ Shia Shlomo Grauz, a prominent talmid of Reb Yoel, shared inspiring stories and divrei Torah honoring Reb Yoel’s enduring legacy. Also speaking were R’ Laibel Altein, mashpia in Bais Menachem; R’ Nachman Schapiro, magid shiur in the shul; and R’ Shalom Charitonow, who often farbrengen’s in the Shul—all adding heartfelt reflections and tributes.

A special surprise moment took place during the seudas mitzvah, when a video message was played from R’ Leibel Schapiro, one of Reb Yoel’s closest and most prominent talmidim. Though he was unable to attend in person, his heartfelt message—recorded specially for the occasion—deeply moved the crowd.

Among those attending the Siyum Sefer Torah were rabbanim, mashpi’im, shluchim, roshei yeshiva, and many members of the community who personally felt the impact of Reb Yoel’s teachings. Among those attending were R’ Yosef Horowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Bobov; R’ Y. one of the Roshei Yeshiva in Satmar; R Yitzchok Bistritzky, Dayan in Boyan; R Sender Rechnitzer, Dayan in Belz, and many more close Talmeidim and Mekuravim of Reb Yoel.

The event was marked by a remarkable spirit of unity, drawing people of all backgrounds from across Boro Park — working individuals, bnei Torah, and Chassidim of all stripes — who came together in honor of Reb Yoel. The entire Lubavitch community of Boro Park participated with achdus, joined by shluchim from throughout the neighborhood and surrounding areas, dancing and celebrating together k’ish echad b’lev echad.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt address by R’ Dovid Moshe Meisels, who spearheaded the entire Sefer Torah project and is known for his deep dedication to the Rebbe’s inyanim. He spoke about the journey of the Torah—from the days immediately following Reb Yoel’s passing, when the writing first began, until its completion and dedication at the siyum. Many mekuravim also shared personal memories and powerful stories from the early years, when many of those present were still bochurim just beginning their journey in learning Chassidus, guided directly by their beloved mashpia, Reb Yoel.