Holocaust Scroll

In 1999, Congregation Beth Israel acquired a Torah scroll (MST#12) on permanent loan from the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust. It was confiscated by the Nazis from the town of Frydek-Mistek, along with hundreds of others from the former Jewish communities of Bohemia and Moravia. These scrolls were rescued by the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust in 1964 and since then, many have been distributed to Jewish communities around the world to memorialize those lost communities. At CBI, we read from this beautiful and precious Torah scroll every year to commemorate Yom HaShoah.

December 2, 1997. CBI members Rose and Robert Capon arrive at Westminster Synagogue to select a torah from the collection of the Holocaust Memorials Scroll Trust, London England. Robert Capon (right) with son Howard.
By 1997, of the original collection of 1563 Torahs, approximately 120 scrolls remain. The remaining scrolls are generally in very poor condition.
The Capon family chooses three scrolls for consideration of the Congregation Beth Israel Board of Directors, with a recommendation to choose Scroll No. 12.
Scroll No. 12, From Frydek-Mistek, Czechoslovakia.
Scroll No. 12 is among the Torahs that have become known as the "Tattooed Torahs," because it bears a numerical marking written on the handle by the Nazis. It's number is "37031."
January 16, 1998. Scroll No. 12 arrives at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. The Capon family drives up to Dulles to accept the shipment. The shipping crate is opened by Robert Capon and his children.
January 16, 1998. The Capons organize an impromptu Shabbat celebration to welcome the new arrival to Charlottesville.
CBI Member Yacov Haimes leads the group in the first reading of the Torah since World War II.
The Frydek-Mistek Torah scroll today in its case in the CBI small sanctuary.