Atlantic Beach Teen Donates Torah

A Long Beach synagogue that suffered major damage from Hurricane Sandy dedicated a new Torah Sunday as a sign of “renewal."

The BACH Jewish Center at 210 Edwards Blvd. marked the completion of a new Torah scroll with a celebratory parade that stepped off at the Allegria Hotel. The new Torah was made possible by 13-year old Hudson Kaylie of Atlantic Beach, who decided to dedicate it after celebrating his Bar Mitzvah in Israel a few months ago.

Rabbi Eli Goodman, spiritual leader of BACH Jewish Center, told Newsday that the Torah dedication had an extra special meaning in the aftermath of Sandy.

From Newsday:

"We've been suffering five months now since the hurricane brought great devastation to our community. …But today we're writing a new Torah to show a sign of renewal and revival of our community."

"The ocean flooded our synagogues, flooded our homes and just about everything in our community and now we are starting a brand new era. ...We are going to be back and better than ever.”

The BACH Jewish Center, which is affiliated with Chabad, is one of several Long Beach synagogue that lost Torahs from flooding caused by the Oct. 29 superstorm. The congregation was founded in 1940 and serves the communities of Long Beach, Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach, according to its website.