August 5, 1994SACRED SCROLLS SAVED AS SYNAGOGUE BURNS
August 5, 1994SACRED SCROLLS SAVED AS SYNAGOGUE BURNS
By Jonathan Dube
SOME MIGHT consider it the Miracle on 54th Street.
As flames engulfed a Borough Park synagogue containing sacred scrolls Sunday
night, Rabbi Menachem Rokeach ran upstairs, threw his 99-year-old mother over
his back and began carrying her toward the exit.
But before he reached the exit, the 57-year-old rabbi tripped, dropping his
mother, Hinda Rokeach.
At that moment, a neighborhood resident burst through the doors and helped
them leave the Bnei Tisoschor Synagogue with only minor injuries.
By then the firefighters had arrived, and as soon as they took control of the
fire they headed straight for the ark, where the scrolls, worth an estimated $
250,000, were stored.
"When they went in, my heart went out," Rokeach said. "I only hoped they were
going to get the Torahs."
One by one, firefighters passed the eight Torahs - one of which is nearly 100
years old - bucket-brigade style out of the synagogue.
The firefighters were too late, however, to save the synagogue at 5402 16th
Ave. at 54th Street.
According to the fire marshal's preliminary report, the fire probably started
in the wiring inside the lectern. It was reported at 11:36 p.m. and under
control by 11:56 p.m.
Congregation members were estatic that firefighters had saved the handwritten
holy scrolls, each of which contains 304,805 letters.
"There are no words to describe how important these are," said Jack Meyer,
the man who rescued Rokeach and his mother. "After life, these come second."
The firefighters understood.
"Our first thought was to put out the fire," firefighter John Castagna, 37,
said. "Our second thought was 'grab the Torah.' I saw the ark there, ripped it
open and grabbed what I could."
Until the synagogue can be rebuilt, the congregation hopes to get temporary
space in a nearby synagogue.
Members said they hope to rebuild their synagogue with insurance money and
contributions.
They are anxious to get the synagogue rebuilt in time for Rosh Hashanah,
which begins Sept. 6.
Staff Writer
