Methodist Church hand over three scrolls to Federation of Synagogues

On 28 January, ministers, rabbis and staff oversaw the handover of a Torah scroll previously in storage following the closure of Wesley College, a former Methodist theological college, in 2012. On 6 March, two Esther scrolls were also handed over from the Methodist Church to the Federation of Synagogues.

With limited information known about the Torah, the scroll had been kept in climate controlled archival storage while arrangements were made for it to be returned to the Jewish community. Following an inspection by a scribe, overseen by the Federation, it was determined, due to the nature of the parchment and the style of writing, that the Torah scroll was written in Baghdad and dates from the early nineteenth century. While little is known about the scroll, it is thought that it may have reached Britain either through Methodist missions in Britain-held Iraq, or through British troops, merchants, or businesspeople. The Torah scroll has significant fire and water damage predating its time at Wesley College Bristol. However, it is believed that the scroll was donated to Wesley College in the late nineteenth-century to be used as a teaching aid.

In a meeting facilitated through the Board of Deputies, representatives from the Methodist Church, including Reverend Steven Cooper (Connexional Ecumenical Officer), Jude Levermore (Head of Mission), and Olivia Threlkeld (Heritage and Collections Officer), attended the handover and shared their knowledge about the scroll. The scroll was received by Federation of Synagogues CEO Avi Lazarus, Head of Burial Lawrence Littlestone, Av Beit Din Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, and the Dayanim of the Beit Din.

Rabbi Zimmerman marked the occasion with a speech sharing the significance of the Torah to the Jewish people, thanking the Methodist Church for returning the scroll and acknowledging the representatives present for sharing in friendship and mutual respect.

Due to the damage, the Torah scroll will be buried in accordance with Jewish law.

Ahead of Purim, two other scrolls in storage, were received by the Federation. Both of the scrolls are the Megillat Esther; also thought to have been used as teaching aids for the Methodists at Wesley College. Having received the scrolls, the Federation will oversee the inspection and establish the next chapter for them.

As the scrolls were transferred into the care of the Federation, its Av Beit Din Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman reflected on the profound significance of the moment, stating:

“The Torah is the heart and soul of the Jewish people. It is our moral guide, our connection to Hashem, and the foundation of our nation throughout millennia of exile and persecution. The return of this sefer Torah is a powerful reminder of our eternal bond with the Torah and our enduring heritage.”

Connexional Ecumenical Officer for the Methodist Church, Reverend Steven Cooper said:

"We are delighted to hand over these historic scrolls and grateful for the friendships we have developed with the Federation of Synagogues and the Board of Deputies in recent months. These scrolls have a long history, of which their time in Wesley College Bristol was one chapter. We look forward to the next chapter for these scrolls in the Jewish community. Mutual respect, understanding and deep faith has united us in partnership for the care of these scrolls. We look forward to continuing that commitment into the future."

Board of Deputies CEO Michael Wegier said:

“The Board of Deputies is delighted to have facilitated the transfer of these scrolls from the Methodist Church back to the Jewish community. It has been a pleasure to work with the Methodists and the Federation of Synagogues to ensure this could be accomplished, and we hope that this is the beginning of further Interfaith engagement between the two communities.”