Does Shoreshim have a Torah?
Shoreshim’s Torah is a Holocaust Torah (one of a pair) from the Galicia region of Europe near the borders of Poland and the Ukraine. It was found in a mass grave containing the remains of the Jews of a small village, who ran to the synagogue for protection but were killed by the Nazis. One of the exterminated village members had the foresight to place these torahs in Gestapo body bags with a bit of protecting lime, thus allowing their preservation over many years of underground burial. Nevertheless, the Torahs required considerable repair after their recovery well after the end of World War II. The Shoreshim Torah and its sister Torah (located at the 6th and I Street Synagogue in Washington, DC) were commissioned in 1928 for use at the Bar Mitzvah of twin boys. Their names are embroidered on the original cover, which is still in use. It is smaller than most Torahs, and was rededicated in September 2001. Through its use Shoreshim honors those who first used it, along with all who died i
