Torah scrolls (illustration)
Photo: Government Press Office
Torah decorations stolen during Simchat Torah
5 Torah crowns, several finials stolen from Cochin synagogue in Negev; some crowns were antiques from India
Five Torah crowns and several finials were stolen from a synagogue for Cochin Jews in the town of Nevatim in the Negev, during the Simchat Torah holiday. Among these were 300-year-old crowns that had survived the journey from India to Israel.
"The night watchman called me frantically from the synagogue late last night," the town's security officer told Ynet, Tuesday. "When I arrived, I was appalled. The crowns and finials, made of gold and silver, had been stolen from the synagogue."
"These are very precious crowns, they are holy objects and antiques," he explained.
"We stood with tears in our eyes, speechless. The money is a negligible issue in this case. These are antique artifacts that were carried all the way from Cochin, in India. It's the holiest of holies," the officer said, describing his and the community's stunned response.
Despite the theft, Simchat Torah prayers in the synagogue commenced as planned.
Regional police are investigating the theft. "The perpetrators are outsiders who breached the town fence, stole and left. We are aware of the sensitivity of the issue, but no suspects have yet been arrested," reported regional police chief Ilan Peretz.
Regional head councilman Moshe Powell said "this is a terrible crime to commit on Simchat Torah… I am confident that police will do everything to bring the perpetrators to justice."
