Two congregations in Memphis, Tenn, are trying to restore four Torah scrolls found in a river after burglaries at the synagogues. The four were among six stolen from Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth (Orthodox) and Beth Shalom Synagogue ( Conservative) late Jan. 26 or early Jan. 27.
In a telephone interview today with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Allen Israel, vice president of Beth Shalom, said the Torahs were recovered in the Wolf River in Memphis, after a hunter discovered one of them in the water. A search of the area led to the discovery of the other three and a part of a fifth.
The Torahs still had their coverings but the silver ornaments, were apparently taken by the thieves, Israel said. Three of the Torahs were from Beth Shalom and the other from Anshei Sphard. Each synagogue still has one Torah missing.
Rabbi Edmund Winter, of Beth Shalom, told the JTA today that the two synagogues are trying to dry out the scrolls. He said the parchment is brittle and some of the ink has run, He said once the Torahs are dry they will be examined by a halachic expert there although he believed eventually they will have to be brought to New York to be checked.
Although he was hopeful, Winter said he did not know if the Torahs could be saved. He estimated the replacement of the four Torahs and their arrangements at $60,000. The Memphis Council of Jewish Congregations has established a community wide Torah Replacement and Recovery Fund. Meanwhile, Israel and Winter reported that police still do not know the identity of the thieves.
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