More than 300 people gathered at Heathlands Village on Sunday to welcome a new Sefer Torah dedicated in memory of three members of the Rose family – the first such ceremony at the Prestwich care home since 1990.
The family of the late Mr. Reevy Rose, his wife Pearlie and son Phillip, announced the planned Hachnosas Sefer Torah (inauguration of a new Torah scroll) last year shortly after Phillip passed away in March 2022.
The sefer torah, written by the late sofer Uzi Brown, was completed by Akiva Rose, a grandchild and nephew respectively of those in whose memory the new scroll was dedicated.
Gillian Rose, wife of Phillip – a founding member and leader of the Heathlands Village shul community – oversaw the completion of the sefer torah with her three sons, Avi, Tolly and Josh, and daughter Shulamit. Her youngest daughter, Aliza, was unable to be present having recently given birth to a daughter.
The children of Reevy and Pearlie Rose, and of Phillip Rose, together with nephews, cousins, close family friends took part in writing the final letters of the sefer torah and long-standing shul members and Heathlands Villagers were similarly honoured: Ralph Marcus, Sol Gicht, Raymond Myers, Norman Fesler, Michael Adler, Selwyn Telzer and Aubrey Noyek each wrote one of the final letters, watched by a crowd of over a hundred in in The Fed’s community centre at Eventhall House at Heathlands Village. These included Fed Chief Executive, Mark Cunningham, and Chairman of Trustees, Bernie Yaffe who said:
“It was the most exciting and emotional rollercoaster of an experience to witness and
be part of this occasion. The family invited me to write one of the final letters to complete the sefer. Frankly I was overcome, and also incredibly moved that they included people living at Heathlands Village. That epitomises what the Rose family is all about.
“They’ve made a monumental contribution to Jewish life in our home, ever since it was first created. They are synonymous with the shul.
“Sadly, I only got to know Phillip towards the latter end of his life when I would see him most mornings in shul when I was helping to make a minyan when attendance was restricted. For a long time I had no idea that he was unwell. He was always smiling, sharing a laugh and a joke and just impressed me as very approachable and non-judgmental guy – a very, very nice guy.
“And now the baton has passed to the next generation who are ensuring that the Rose family’s values, which are so much in sync with our own, continue to benefit the people we care for, and with others on the shul committee, allow our residents to continue their Jewish life.
Heathlands Village literally wouldn’t be Heathlands Village without the Rose family. They are the home’s beating heart; they are the shul’s ner tamid.”
The words completed a joyous procession accompanied the scroll to its new home in the main building at Heathlands Village. A large gathering from the local community stopped to dance and sing on the front lawn of Heathlands Village in a celebration akin to a wedding, under and around a blue canopied chuppah.
In accordance with tradition, the older sifrei torah were brought from the shul to greet the new scroll – Heathlands Village’s Religious Director, Rev Keith Rosen, Bernie Yaffe, shul gabbai Josh Neuman, and shul stalwarts Jonathan Bishop and Gigi Mechlowitz carrying them out to the throng celebrating on lawn.
Residents who were unable to join in the outdoor celebration watched from the Village coffee shop.
From the lawn, the procession continued to the shul which was bursting at the seams as the dancing and singing continued. Villagers who wished to enjoy the scene from a quieter spot watched via a live stream to a large screen in the home Village Coffee Shop.
The occasion concluded with service conducted by Heathlands Rav, Chaim Rose – brother of Phillip and son of Reevy and Pearlie – formally welcoming the new sefer torah into the shul.
Rabbi Chaim said:
“The atmosphere in the shul was simply electric and seeing our beloved residents dancing with the Sefer Torah moved one to tears. A number of visitors commented on the tremendous achdus, (Jewish unity) displayed by all the regulars and the complete absence of shul politics, with the shul members just doing their utmost to create a genuine Kiddush Hashem.
“As well as sanctifying the new sefer torah, it was our aim to ensure the residents participated as fully as possible in every aspect and enjoyed this unique occasion to the maximum.”
Rabbi Yisroel Rose, nephew of Phillip and grandson of Reevy and Pearlie, and Rav of the Damesek Eliezer Beis Hamedrash in Prestwich, spoke of his uncle’s love for Heathlands Village and his dedication to the wellbeing of the religious lives of the residents.
Phillip’s wife Gillian was thrilled by the wonderful turnout reflecting on the bittersweet celebration:
“The dedication in memory of my dearly loved parents-in-law and my beloved husband Phillip, in the presence of so many family members and friends, was truly uplifting and comforting to everyone. May their memories be a blessing. Through the legacies they left and instilled both at Heathlands Village – where Phillip was so much a part of the shul – and in the wider community, they live on in us all.”
Sons, Avi and Josh have followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming leaders of the Heathlands Shul, often acting as gabbai and ba’al koreh and ba’al tefillah. Tolly, appointed Chazan at North Hendon shul in 2004, also often leads the davening when returning to what is affectionately known as ‘The Rose Family Shul’.
The sefer torah will be used on Shabbos, Yom Tov and weekday services.
Music for the occasion was provided by Nesanel Bamberger.