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Scribe, David Brandt at work repairing Torah Scrolls for a period of over 20 years
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The Czech Scrolls Trust Museum is located on the 3rd Floor of Kent House
The Story of the rescue of 1,564 Czech Scrolls by Westminster Synagogue, which arrived at Kent House in February 1964, has passed into history as a small but remarkable episode in the tragedy of European Jewry. As an intimate link with individual congregations that were destroyed by the Nazis, the Scrolls were a symbol of sorrow as well as hope. Over the four and a half decades since their arrival, the racks have grown emptier as one Scroll after another has been restored to its rightful place in Jewish life around the world.
The Westminster Synagogue Scrolls Committee
The Westminster Synagogue received two Czech scrolls on permanent loan, one from Horazd'ovice and the other from Prestice . Each year in November we honour these lost communities with a Commemorative Memorial Service. On 26th November 2010, we were honoured by the presence of Shlomo Fischl, a holocaust survivor from Horazdovice, who shared with the synagogue his memories of the perished community behind our treasured scroll.
The Commemorative service will be held next on Saturday, 23rd November 2013
Twelve members of she Scrolls committee travelled in May 2011 to the original communities from where the scrolls were rescued. Their emotional experience, photos and films are available on film. Another trip is planned in 2014 as part of the Czech Scrolls 50th Anniversary year.
If you are interesed in learning more about the committee, please contact Alberta Strage, Chairman of the Westminster Synagogue Scrolls Committee strage@me.comTo download the booklet on the community of Horazd'ovice, click here.
Visit the Museum – 3rd Floor Kent House
Visitors to the Museum will find a graphic account of each chapter in the story of the Czech Scrolls; they will learn something of the history of the communities of Bohemia and Moravia to which they once belonged, of their acquisition from Prague and of the long process of repair and distribution. Twice a year, Westminster Synagogue members are invited for a guided tour of the museum. For dates of these events, please email the Synagogue secretary at secretary@westminstersynagogue.org.
The Museum is open to the public, by appointment, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 4pm and at other times by prior arrangement. To make enquiries please contact the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust administrator by e-mail at czech.scrolls@virgin.net or tel:+44 (0)207 584 3741. Or for more information about the Czech Scrolls, visit the website at www.czechmemorialscrollstrust.org.
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