Czech Holocaust (Zachor) Torah

The Beth Emeth community is honored to have on permanent loan a Torah scroll from the Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST) in London, England.

This scroll, MST#11, was originally from an unknown town in Bohemia or Moravia. It was confiscated during the Holocaust and placed in the Jewish Museum in Prague occupied by the Nazis. After the war, the Czech government took ownership of the museum, and in 1964, it sold 1,564 scrolls to the Westminster Synagogue in London, financed by donor Ralph Yablon.

Subsequently, the Czech Memorial Scrolls Centre (later reorganized into the Memorial Scrolls Trust) was formed. The scrolls have been allocated to communities and organizations worldwide. The scrolls are never sold or donated, but are given on loan. 

How MST#11 Came to Beth Emeth

In 1995, the Marks family conceived the idea to acquire one of the Czech Torahs in 1995 to coincide with the opening of CBE's building addition in 1996. Michael Marks worked with then Rabbi Steven M. Glazer and then congregation president David Kamerling to arrange for the loan of a Czech Torah. The family traveled to London to pick up the Torah. 

The Schatz family donated the funds for the required donation to the Czech Memorial Scrolls Centre in memory of Anna Perl. The Amsel family donated the ornate crown to remember Amsel's family members in Slovakia. Families of the Confirmation class of 1998 donated the Zachor cover.

Thank you to the current and former Beth Emeth members who were involved in acquiring, repairing, and dressing this Torah.

More About our Czech Holocaust "Zachor" Torah and How We Use It

When the Torah first arrived at Congregation Beth Emeth, it was in very poor condition. Repairs were made so that it could serve as a living memorial and educational tool for our congregation. Torn sections were mended and sewn and holes were repaired. This effort was completed in December 1996, however, it still is not considered repairable to kosher standards, and thus cannot be used for regular worship.

The Zachor Torah was dedicated on May 2, 1997, in the presence of the families who helped bring it to us. The program includes Our Torah's Journey by Michael Marks, and remarks by Rabbi Steven M. Glazer' and David Kamerling. 

Dedication of the Torah, May 2, 1997. Marks and Schatz/Perl family
members, Rabbi Glazer, president David Kamerling, and 1st vice president Jim Mihal

The word Zachor (remember) is part of the design on the beautiful cover. The Zachor Torah is kept in our Ark and is given a seat of honor on the bimah at many b'nai mitzvahs. We read from it on Shabbat Zachor (remembrance) each spring and use it for educational events. 

In December 2022, Beth Emeth rededicated our stewardship of this Torah and how it connects us to the memory of the Holocaust. The rededication was held in honor of the Torah's 25th year of residence at Beth Emeth.

Display Featuring the Torah

A beautiful display in our sanctuary includes photos of the Torah and the official certificate of loan, as well as an inspiring prayer spoken by Rabbi Harold Reinhart at the reconsecration of Scroll No. 931 at Westminster Synagogue in London in 1968. 

Photo of the Holocaust Torah for Learning Readings (for Shabbat Zachor Only)

Holocaust_5-25-6_5-26-4.jpg (Zachor)