Czech Torah Scrolls - Temple Israel

Home

Temple Israel is proud to care for one of these scrolls, MST #162, embracing the responsibility to preserve its history and share its meaning with our community.

The story of the rescue of 1,564 Czech Torah scrolls by Ralph Yablon, who arranged for their transfer to Westminster Synagogue in London in 1964, is a remarkable chapter in the history of European Jewry. These scrolls, once held by vibrant Jewish communities across Bohemia and Moravia, survived the devastation of the Shoah even when the communities themselves did not.

Today, the scrolls serve as powerful symbols of both loss and resilience. As they are read, displayed, and taught around the world, they continue the legacy of the communities that cherished them.

The Memorial Scrolls Trust

The Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST) is responsible for safeguarding the 1,564 rescued Torah scrolls. Saved by members of the Prague Jewish community during the Holocaust and later stored in the Jewish Museum in Prague, the scrolls remained untouched for years. In 1964, they were purchased from the Communist government and transported to Westminster Synagogue in London, along with nearly 400 Torah binders, many of which are still preserved and displayed. The MST allocates scrolls to synagogues, museums, and educational institutions across the globe. These scrolls are not sold or given away. They are entrusted on permanent loan to communities committed to honoring their history and purpose.

Silent Witnesses

Each Czech scroll stands as a silent witness. It represents the Jewish communities of Bohemia and Moravia, the families who once prayed with these scrolls, and all who perished in the Shoah. The MST encourages every scroll-holder to use their scroll not only in ritual life, but also for education, remembrance, and interfaith and community work.

Each allocated scroll originally carried an identity plaque. Over the decades, some plaques were lost or never replaced, leaving a number of communities uncertain about which of their scrolls came from the MST. The Trust continues its work to locate, identify, and document every scroll so that each can be used with the respect and purpose it deserves.