Joy, Resilience, and a New Torah: A Historic Weekend at Chabad of A&M

This past Sunday, February 15, 2026, I had the profound privilege of attending a Siyum Sefer Torah at the Chabad of A&M in Texas. As the owner and scribe at Machon Stam, helping bring a new Sefer Torah to its community is always a special occasion, but this particular weekend carried an emotional depth and spirit of triumph that I will never forget.

The seeds for this Sefer Torah were planted months ago when Leibel Lazaroff and his father came to my office to discuss the project. The Torah was lovingly dedicated in memory of Leibel’s grandmother, Mrs. Cecile Friedman OBM (Tzivia bas Yakov Yitzchak). A resident of Crown Heights and an active member of the Chevra Kadisha, Mrs. Friedman’s first Yahrzeit had been observed just days earlier on Thursday, making the timing of this completion deeply significant.

However, between that summer meeting and this weekend's Siyum, the Lazaroff family faced an unimaginable trial. On Chanukah of this year, Leibel was shot during the tragic Bondi Massacre in Sydney. After enduring 11 surgeries and fighting fiercely for his life, his miraculous recovery has been a beacon of light to Jews worldwide. This weekend marked only his second Shabbos back home in Texas.

I arrived at the Chabad house at 2:00 AM on Motzei Shabbos to find a house full of energy. A group of Leibel's friends had flown in to support him, and we sat singing and sharing chizuk (strength) until 4:00 AM.

The Siyum: Writing Letters of Life

The following morning, the community gathered to complete the final letters. Seeing Leibel there—celebrating life, Torah, and the memory of his grandmother—was a true testament to the unbreakable spirit of our people.

A moment of triumph: Leibel Lazaroff pens a letter in the new Sefer Torah.

Rabbi Shimon and Mrs. Lazaroff participating in the sacred tradition.

Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff writing a letter with the extended Lazaroff family looking on.

Dancing Through the Streets

Following the ceremony at the College Station campus building, we held a magnificent procession to escort the new Torah to its home at the Chabad house. As we walked, students came out of their homes to wave, clap, and join the dancing.

The celebration concluded with a festive meal and even more dancing. At Machon Stam, we write the letters, but it is communities like Chabad of A&M and individuals like Leibel who truly bring those letters to life. I returned to New York that evening with a full heart.

Post by Yitzchok Raskin, Machon Stam