Temple B’nai Sholom’s Rescued Torah

We welcome this survivor of the Shoah

In 1997, through the generosity of TBS member, Louis B. Weiner, our congregation offered this historic scroll a permanent home and place of honor in our Aron Kodesh. Dr. Weiner presented it in memory of his daughter, Julie Ann Weiner:

“That this Torah has survived the Holocaust where little else has, has survived fire charred, water stained, and perhaps blood stained, seems to instill in it a special meaning. So perhaps it is fitting that it becomes a remembrance: for me, a personal remembrance of my beloved daughter; for the youth of Temple B’nai Sholom, remembrance of the 1,500,000 children; for all, a remembrance of the 6,000,000.

 

Therefore, I dedicate this Torah, in loving memory of my beloved daughter Julie Ann, to the children of Temple B’nai Sholom, to help keep the memory of the innocent victims of the Holocaust alive.”

Read Dr. Weiner’s entire statement here.

Rabbi Steven L. Jacobs presided over the dedication ceremony.  Discussing the significance of the scroll, he noted:

“This Sefar Torah [Torah Scroll] which now joins two others in our Aron Kodesh [Holy Ark] comes to us from the now-decimated Jewish Community of Czechoslovakia; its specific congregational home we know not. It has found a resting place in the holy precincts of our Congregation, and is concrete evidence of our own willingness and commitment to a present and future sensitive at all times to the tragedies of the past and our determination in the words of our Siddur [Prayer Book]
“to build a world of peace for Your children.”

It is, therefore, both fitting and appropriate that we as a congregational family accept this Sefar Torah on “permanent loan” to us from the Memorial Scrolls Committee of the Westminster Synagogue in London, England, in memory of Julie Ann Weiner, beloved daughter of Dr. Louis B. Weiner. And may the memories of all our beloved children remain a blessing among the living.”

Learn more about the history of rescued Torahs and the Memorial Scrolls
Committee of Westminster Synagogue at the Czech Torah Network Web site.

A Special Note:The rescued Sefar Torah that now resides within Temple B’nai Sholom’s Aron Kodesh has no adornments. It’s cover is a reminder of the traditional tallit in tribute to the community from whence it came. Other than adding the yad, any attempt to repair this Sacred Torah and/or add rimmonim and/or breastplate would beautify that from which beauty has been robbed, while its holiness is not diminished. Therefore it would be inappropriate to beautify it in any way.