Become a Member
Community

Men of letters finish Khalili gift

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks was one of 40 Western Marble Arch Synagogue members who wrote the final words of the community's newest Sefer Torah

November 13, 2008 15:15
Professor David Khalili watches the completion of the Sefer Torah

ByJay Grenby, Jay Grenby

1 min read

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks was one of 40 Western Marble Arch Synagogue members who wrote the final words of the community's newest Sefer Torah, which was presented to the congregation on Shabbat.

The scroll was commissioned by the family of scholar, collector and philanthropist Professor David Khalili and his wife Marion to mark their 30th wedding anniversary, and is the first Sephardi Sefer Torah to be donated to the shul.

In accordance with Sephardi custom, it is housed not in a mantle but in a magnificent and ornate silver case.

During the Shabbat service, the scroll was taken from the ark and paraded around the synagogue by each of the donors - Daniel, Benjamin and Raphael Khalili, the couple's three sons.