Stolen Torah scrolls found outside church

Two sacred Torah scrolls stolen during a burglary at a synagogue in Salford, Manchester, have been returned after being left outside a Methodist Church.

The Revd Dr Joanne Cox-Darling, Superintendent of the Manchester Circuit, arrived at Whalley Range Methodist Church on the afternoon of 11 June to find two Torah scrolls left at the front door. Earlier that day, the Revd Jo had been chatting about sacred texts in her Pause for Thought slot on BBC Radio Two.

“I was very surprised to find them,” says the Revd Jo. “I called the police immediately as it seemed a bit suspicious and followed their advice to bring the scrolls inside.”

Dr Benjamin Ellis, faculty team member of the Senior Faith in Leadership Programme, translated the ceremonial coverings and the accompanying Aramaic prayer, confirming they were Torah scrolls. Dr Ellis advised the Revd Jo how to store them respectfully.

The following day the Revd Jo contacted Rabbi Warren Elf, co-chair of Greater Manchester Faiths Forum and lead of Faiths for Manchester. Rabbi Warren's contacts quickly confirmed that these were the scrolls stolen from the Beis HaMedrash Torah Etz Chaim Synagogue in Salford during a burglary in March.

Following discussion with the police investigating the burglary, it was agreed that the scrolls could be returned, and they were immediately collected by the synagogue.

Charles Hoffmann commented on behalf of the Beis HaMedrash Torah Etz Chaim Synagogue: “We never lost hope – because a Jew never gives up hope in God, what we did give up was the struggle of searching, as we had done everything we could and from that point we were constantly praying to God for their safe return, trusting in God to bring our scrolls home. And that is exactly what happened.

“Within a short time the news spread throughout the Jewish community and, although it was very close to our Shabbat, men, women and children came out to greet them. The atmosphere was electrifying as everyone came forward to kiss the scrolls. While bringing the Torah scrolls back into the shul there was dancing and singing, it was one of the most emotional and joyous sights any of us have ever witnessed.

“We wish to thank the Revd Dr Joanne Cox-Darling for making this happen and for helping bring our Torah scrolls back to us.”

The Revd Jo commented, “Although the arrival of the scrolls at our church remains something of a mystery, I was honoured to be entrusted with their care for a short while, and grateful to Jewish friends and colleagues who supported me in providing the safe and respectful recovery and safekeeping of the scrolls until they could be passed back to the community in time for Shabbat."