The members of the Los Angeles-based Sinai Temple, which is one of the largest and most influential religious centers of American Jewry, donated a Sefer Torah to the Mountainous Jewish Community of Azerbaijan. Exquisitely prepared in Israel, the Sefer Torah was presented at a special ceremony held at the Sinai Temple.

Over 400 members of Los Angeles’s Jewish community attended the ceremony. A delegation from Azerbaijan, including Gunduz Ismayilov, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Religious Institutions; Evda Abramov, Jewish Member of Azerbaijani Parliament; Milikh Yevdayev, Head of Azerbaijan’s Mountainous Jewish Community; and Rabbi Avraam Yakubov of the Mountainous Jewish Synagogue in Baku, participated at the event.

The ceremony commenced with the impressive performance of national anthems of Azerbaijan, Israel and the U.S. by the Sinai Temple’s cantor Marcus Feldman. Then Consul General of Azerbaijan Nasimi Aghayev and Consul General of Israel David Siegel addressed the audience. In his remarks, Consul General Aghayev informed the participants about Azerbaijan’s long-standing traditions of tolerance and inclusion. The Consul General also stressed the importance of the comprehensive relationship and strong friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel. Speaking about the illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan’s lands by Armenia, Consul General Aghayev stressed the significance of Israel’s constant support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. In this regard, Aghayev also expressed the gratitude and appreciation for Israeli President Rivlin’s reference to the 1992 Khojaly Massacre – committed by Armenia against Azerbaijani civilians – in his recent U.N. speech on the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In his remarks, Consul General of Israel David Siegel called the environment of tolerance and interfaith harmony that Azerbaijan has been able to establish and foster, a great model for the entire world. He also highlighted the strategic nature of Azerbaijani-Israeli partnership.

Following the remarks, Rabbi David Wolpe of the Sinai Temple, who is regarded as the most influential rabbi in the U.S., presented the Sefer Torah to the Mountainous Jewish Community of Azerbaijan.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Gunduz Ismayilov, Mr Evda Abramov and Mr Milikh Yevdayev thanked the Los Angeles Jewish Community for this valuable gift. They called Azerbaijan the historic homeland of the Azerbaijani Mountainous Jewish community and mentioned the constant attention and care by Azerbaijani leadership to all religious communities of the country, including the 30,000-strong Jewish community of Azerbaijan.