Turn it, and turn it, for everything is in it. Torah is our Tree of Life.

— Pirke Avot (Ethics of our Ancestors); Proverbs

Czech Memorial Torah Scroll

During the Holocaust, nearly 1,564 Czech Torah scrolls were rescued by the Prague Jewish community, which largely perished. These precious Torah scrolls—brought to Westminster Synagogue almost 50 years ago—are found worldwide and help us remember European Jewish life before the Holocaust, challenge us to confront prejudice and hatred, and inspire us to build bridges across communities.

Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands was honored to receive our Czech Memorial Torah scroll in 1994.  Marilyn Ladin, who contacted the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust as our congregation was looking for a second Torah scroll, was instrumental in this process.  Once we were approved, the scroll was brought to our synagogue from London, where the Memorial Scrolls Trust is located.

Our Memorial Scroll, #928, is considered an “orphan” scroll, meaning no one knows about its origin.  However, we know that the scroll is about 150-200 years ago.  There are requirements for the safekeeping of a Czech Memorial Scroll, including an annual dedication ceremony each November when we commemorate Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass.