Daniel’s memory lives on in a special Torah

SUZANNE BELLING

This Torah was bought for the shul by the Jewish community in the name of Daniel Copans, a phenomenal teenager  who died from cancer two years ago, shortly before completing his matric at King David High School Linksfield.

Thousands of people from South Africa, New York, London, Australia and Israel donated towards the Torah, the final letters of which were written by Daniel’s twin Adam at the home of Rabbi Eitan Ash, of Chabad Savoy. Rabbi Ash, not only drove this project, but did everything in his power to obtain life-saving treatment from American doctors for Dan, even going with him to New York for medical treatment. Rabbi Ash and Dan went to visit the grave of Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson to daven for Dan’s recovery.

“Dan’s dream was to have a family and give back to the community and it was my wish that he should stand under a chuppah one day to get married,” Rabbi Ash said. 

“A Torah represents the whole Jewish world, is the centre of Jewish life and it is always brought into shul under a chuppah. So, a Torah in Dan’s a name seemed totally appropriate. Also, a Torah lives forever…”   

Rabbi Ash, who was with Daniel in New York when he found out that the treatment, hadn’t been successful, said: “Dan had an amazing effect on people. He changed my life and renewed my commitment to being a rabbi.”

But Daniel, an acclaimed sportsman died just before his 18^th birthday surrounded by his family and Rabbi Ash. His brother, Adam, went on to write matric and do exceptionally well in the name of his brother.   

Rabbi Ash went on to raise funds for Dan’s Torah. At the end of last year, he, Dan’s father, David Copans, and a group from their community, went to Israel to collect the Torah.

Rabbi Ash explained that the Copans family “coloured in” the first letters of the Torah and the rest was almost completed in Israel, with the exception of about 400 letters. “These were filled in by donors, friends and family after we got back”

“On Sunday, the extended community – young old, religious and non-religious –  gathered at my house to put the finishing touches to the Torah, with Adam filling in the last two letters, which were an Aleph and a Lamed, which represented their names – Daniel Leib and Adam.”

The congregants then marched through the streets of Savoy to the Chabad Shul, holding the Torah aloft under a chuppah “to join the other Sifrei Torah in the shul”, Rabbi Ash said. “Dan was never destined to go under the chuppah as a chossen, but the Torah served as a symbol in place of this.”

David Copans said the Torah was “a worthwhile tribute by Rabbi Ash. I don’t know if I can bring closure to this. The mourning will always be with us. [But] with the Torah we can daven on a weekly basis from it and have Dan’s memory in the shul.”

Mother Jodi Copans said: “I think it is absolutely amazing that Rabbi Ash has done this for Daniel. He was an amazing kid – he was an absolute hero.”

There was music, food and a spirit of celebration, but no one could miss the tears – behind their smiles – shed by his friends and family.

Dan’s illness and fortitude were “a life-changing experience for thousands”, Rabbi Ash said. “He loved life, he loved people. This Torah is a tribute to him and his whole family.

The congregation davened mincha and went on to the shul in Chabad Savoy for the completion of the service. Traffic came to a standstill as the procession marched through the streets. There were supporters in wheelchairs, the disabled with walking sticks, babies in prams… all to acknowledge the bravery of the young man who would never reach full maturity.

Many more joined the throngs at the shul, where a special service followed. Being Rosh Chodesh Adar added to the spirit of celebration of Dan’s short but meaningful life.

“This is a community event for everyone, not just Chabad Savoy,” Rabbi Ash said.  “Daniel changed so many lives.”