Czeck Torah Scroll

This scroll is one of 1,564 Torah scrolls seized and numbered by the Nazis during World War II from synagogues in Central Europe . The scrolls were stored in the basement of an abandoned synagogue in Prague causing significant deterioration to their condition. In1964 after extensive negotiations, the scrolls were transferred to Westminster Synagogue in London under the auspices of the Memorial Scrolls Trust. There the scrolls were renumbered, inspected and classified noting the condition of parchment, writing and other distinguishing features. The scrolls in usable condition were then made available on permanent loan to qualifying synagogues throughout the world.   This sacred and historic scroll originally came from the synagogue in Budinye nad Ohri (Budin on the Ohri River ) near Terezin , Czechoslovakia . It is now on permanent loan to Temple Emanu-El in Providence .  

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

On the cover for the Torah Scroll in stylized letters is written the word "Zakhor" which means "Remember". 

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

Brass Menorah

Nine -branched candelabrum and one of the oldest symbols in hte Jewish faith

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

"Book of Kings" from the Bible

Translation by Moses Mendelsohn

From Hebrew to German
With Hebrew Commentary
And Hebrew-to-German Glossary

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

Silver Rimmonim

Decorations placed on tops of the staves to which the Torah scroll is attached

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

Silver Breastplate

Decorative shield designed to beautify the Torah scroll 

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

Silver Megillah Case

Decorative case for holding a scroll (megillah) of the biblical "Book of Esther" 

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

Shofar

An instrument made from the horn of a ram or other kosher animal used in ancient Israel to announce the New Moon ( Rosh Chodesh ) and Rosh Hashanah , the beginning of the New Year. 

On loan from:
Temple Emanu-El

Cap Worn by Concentration Camp Inmate 

During World War II, Ms. Carchidi's father, Edward Yarwood, was working for the Scots Guards Regiment, British Army. This intelligence agency was responsible for processing concentration camps after liberation. A prisoner in one of these concentration camps took a liking to Yarwood's uniform cap. Yarwood and the prisoner exchanged caps; Yarwood kept the prisoner's cap as a reminder of his experiences with survivors of the Holocaust.

Donated by Kathleen Carchidi
In memory of her father, Edward Yarwood

On loan from:
The Holocaust Education & Resource Center of Rhode Island

 Armband with Yellow Star of David inscribed with "Jude", the German word for Jew written in Hebraic style. 

This armband was brought back from a concentration camp by an American soldier and given to Rabbi Jagolinzer of Temple Shalom in appreciation for his dedication to perpetuating the remembrance of the Holocaust and the concept of "Never Again!"

It is part of a Holocaust Memorial Plaque given to Temple Shalom by Ruth and Manfred Ziegler.

On loan from:
Temple Shalom

Kinderpass

This Kinderpass was used by Manfred Ziegler to gain passage on the Kindertransport. The Kindertransport saved the lives of approximately 10,000 children who were transported to England following the Kristallnacht in November 1938.

It is part of a Holocaust Memorial Plaque given to Temple Shalom by Ruth and Manfred Ziegler. 

On loan from:
Temple Shalom

Memorial Candle 

This memorial candle honors the six million Jews who died during the Holocaust.

It is part of a Holocaust Memorial Plaque given to Temple Shalomn by Ruth and Manfred Ziegler.

On loan from:
Temple Shalom

Needlepoint 

This needlepoint was created by Ruth Ziegler. It represents the suffering of the Jews during the Holocaust as well as their abiding faith in God. It is part of a Holocaust Memorial Plaque given to Temple Shalom by Ruth and Manfred Ziegler.

On loan from:
Temple Shalom

Additional Resources produced by the Library in support of this event include:

The Birss Memorial website at: http://library.rwu.edu/birss/2008.htm

Elie Wiesel, Night and the Holocaust: a Selective Bibliography (available at the Information Desk)

Book display of works by and about Elie Wiesel and the Holocaust located on the display case in the "New Books" area.