More than one thousand persons overflowed Congregation Ohab Sholom, one of Brooklyn’s oldest synagogues, yesterday morning to attend funeral services for seven burned Torahs, holy scrolls. They were destroyed during a mysterious blaze at the synagogue May 28.
Ceremonies were touchingly solemn. The scrolls were placed in clay instruments, as is the custom. Black cloth covered the clay. The beautiful golden ornaments, which usually adorn the Torahs, were place in a small casket. On the side of the casket several packages of old prayer books, worn by time, were placed.
Aged men and women walked to the bench, on which lay the scrolls, and tenderly fondled and kissed them. The ark, where the fire did most damage, seemed to look down dejectedly. A cloth of a brilliant red hue covered it.
A delegation of rabbis arrived, to help conduct the services. Included were Rabbis Isaac Sodden, Elimenlach Kavalinki, Aaron Zlabowitz, Simeon Weiss, Benjamin B. Auerbach, Aaron David Bourack and Joseph Elias Henkin. Rabbi sodden is leader of the Congregation. Jacob Fink, president of the congregation, presided.
A hush fell over the crowd as services began. Each speaker rose and eulogized the Torah for what it has been and for what it will be to the Jews of the future. Repeatedly the speakers and the crowd broke into heartfelt tears.
The most responsive chord in the hearts of the people was struck by Rabbi Sodden. With tears streaming down his face Rabbi Sodden pointed to the Torahs lying in front of him and declared that the scrolls are only a symbol of the great tragedy f Jews ver the world.
Suddenly Rabbi Sodden pulled away the cloth from the ark. The ark appeared so black and empty that the crowd jumped to its feet with a cry that did not subside for several minutes. Men as well as women, broke anew into lamentation.
When the services were over the crowd surged forward eagerly for the “mitzvah” of carrying the casket and scrolls to the hearse, waiting outside the synagogue. Many were waiting outside, and as the scrolls appeared, the kissing and tears started anew.
The hearse and a following of several cars and a bus then proceeded to Mt. Hebron Cemetery. There again rabbis delivered addresses as the scrolls, ornaments and books were lowered into the ground, amidst great lamentation.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
