Israel’s submarine flotilla participated in dual ceremonies here today marking the graduation from training courses of the first submarine crews and the presentation of a Torah scroll to each of the two Israeli undersea vessels, and the setting up of the first underwater synagogues.
The scrolls, which were presented to the submarine crews by President Izhak Ben-Zvi, were carried aboard the vessels by Aluf Yochai Bin-Nun, commander of the Israel Navy and Rabbi Shlomo Goren, Chief Chaplain of the Armed Forces, while Navy personnel in gleaming white uniforms held aloft a red canopy. The traditional whistle welcomed the party aboard. The scrolls were then placed in special compartments aboard the submarines which will serve as synagogues.
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