Historic Sifrei Torah and Megillos Esther Returned to the Jewish Community

It was a deeply moving moment when a Torah scroll and two megillos Esther were returned to the Jewish community recently, under the care of Kehillas Federation, marking the conclusion of a long journey back to their rightful heritage.

The sefer Torah, believed to have originated from Baghdad at approximately the turn of the 20th century, had been in the possession of the Methodist Church in Britain for decades after being donated to Wesley College Bristol as a teaching tool. Following the college’s closure in 2012, the scroll was held in climate-controlled storage at SOAS University Library alongside other historic materials. Upon rediscovery, the Methodist Church, as part of a programme of ‘decolonisation’ and in a show of respect for Jewish law and tradition, reached out to the Board of Deputies of British Jews to facilitate the sefer’s return to the Jewish community.

A series of meetings were held at the Federation’s offices in Hendon to formally receive the sefer Torah and megillos Esther, attended by representatives of Kehillas Federation, the Methodist Church, and the Board of Deputies. Discussions focused on the history of the scrolls, their preservation, and the Federation’s commitment to ensuring their proper treatment according to halacha.

Unfortunately, following careful examination by Rabbi Dovid Singer of Ilford Federation Synagogue, it was concluded that the scroll is beyond repair, as a result of extensive fire and water damage. Rabbi Singer is a highly respected sofer and a leading authority on the restoration of sifrei Torah. As such, it will be buried in accordance with halacha, ensuring that even in its final state, kedushas hatorah is upheld.

Alongside the Torah scroll, two megillos Esther were also returned from the Methodist Church’s collection. This comes at an especially poignant time, with Purim falling this week. Sadly, upon inspection, one of the megillos was found to be possul and was likely never fit for ritual use, while the second, though not currently in a kosher state, may be repairable. The Federation is assessing whether it can be restored for use on Purim in future years.

As the sifrei Kodesh were transferred into the care of Kehillas Federation, Rosh and Av Beis 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.”

Avi Lazarus, CEO of Kehillas Federation, expressed his gratitude to those involved in facilitating the return of the scrolls, stating:

“This is not just the return of physical scrolls—it is the restoration of something infinitely precious to klal Yisroel. We deeply appreciate the efforts of all those who helped make this happen and look forward to continuing to safeguard our holy Torah for future generations.”

Kehillas Federation extends its appreciation to the Methodist Church for their sensitivity and cooperation in this matter, as well as to the Board of Deputies of British Jews for its assistance in coordinating the handover.