BREAKING NEWS

Four Torah scrolls stolen from Bnei Brak synagogue

The synagogue is one of the oldest in Bnei Brak, according to Ynet, and was founded by the fifth mayor, Rabbi Shimon Siroka.

JUNE 12, 2019 04:46

Thieves stole four Torah scrolls from the Orchot Hatorah synagogue in Bnei Brak overnight on Monday, vandalized the sanctuary and threw holy books on the floor.

“Police units in the area of Bnei Brak are investigating an incident that took place when damage was caused to a synagogue and Torah scrolls were stolen,” the police said.

The synagogue’s sexton, Moshe Cohen, told Ynet that when worshipers entered the sanctuary at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, they were shocked at what they saw. “They did not know what to do,” Cohen said. “They froze in their places.”

Cohen said “The Holy Ark was open in the upper and lower parts, and the Torah scrolls were stolen from it. Two old Torah scrolls were stolen that were from the early days of the synagogue, from when the Chazon Ish prayed there.”

“I hope they catch the thieves,” Cohen said. Before they escaped, they broke cameras and ripped out the device that records the security footage, stole the screen, memory cards, and laptop. They tried to destroy as much evidence as possible.”

The synagogue is one of the oldest in Bnei Brak, according to Ynet. Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz (1878-1953), also known as the Chazon Ish, prayed there after settling in Mandate Palestine in 1933.