Sen. Lieberman (2nd from left) at completion
Sen. Lieberman (2nd from left) at completionIsrael news photo: PR

Torah and the Hanukkah holiday combined their strength to bring together rival Congressmen Eric Cantor and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz for the completion of a “unity” Torah scroll sponsored by El Al Airlines.

El Al initiated the “Torah Scroll for Israel Unity” last year. The Torah scroll will be flown on special flights of national and historic significance and will also serve worshipers at the synagogue of the airline’s Head Office.

The project began at Chabad world “770” headquarters, and since then, President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, rabbis, and American Jewish leaders, including senior Congressmen, have participated in each writing a single letter on the scroll.

During the eight-day Hanukkah holiday, Republican House of Representatives leader Cantor and Democratic National Committee chair Rep. Wasserman-Schultz were seen standing side-by-side.                      

Approximately 150 people attended the Hanukkah candle lighting event, when the Torah was completed, at the Mike Mansfield Hall on Capitol Hill, where Sen. Joe Lieberman made what may have been his last public appearance before his official retirement January 20.

El Al CEO Eliezer Shkedy said at the event, “As a former Air Force general and now El Al CEO, I have as special merit to serve the country and our People. I feel here a great love and support for Israel that lets us know we are not alone.”

He left behind a specially inscribed Bible for the Congressmen and others stating, “I am this Torah scroll taking to Israel and am leaving you with the Bible that serves as the basis for the common values of our two peoples."

He said he hoped the Congressmen would use the Bible at their swearing-in ceremony next month.