From Holocaust Survival to New Life: Ancient Torah Scroll Returns to Israel

In the memorial space at the Nova site, heartfelt prayers echoed as a uniquely special Torah scroll — approximately 200 years old, was brought into the Beit Midrash of the “Amit Yagel” Yeshiva in Ashdod.

Written in Czechoslovakia two centuries ago, the scroll survived the horrors of the Holocaust thanks to a non-Jew who hid it. Its fate remained unknown for decades, until it was found discarded in a basement in Marseille, France. A few years ago it was offered for sale and purchased by a Jewish community in Arizona, led by Rabbi Michael Beyo.

From the Holocaust to Arizona — and Now to Israel

When Operation “Guardian of the Walls” broke out, Rabbi Beyo began searching for a worthy place where the Torah scroll could continue its remarkable journey. During an emotional meeting in the Nova Forest with Rabbi Shalom Malul, head of the “Amit Yagel” Yeshiva, the idea was formed to donate the scroll to the yeshiva.

A Ceremony Begins in the Nova Forest

The dedication ceremony opened in the Nova Forest — the very place where so many Jews were murdered in the horrific massacre.

Twelfth-grade students prayed Shacharit in the forest and completed the writing of the scroll’s final letters.

Afterward, a moving procession — joined by bereaved families and many others, made its way from the forest to the yeshiva. There, in a Holy Ark meticulously reconstructed to resemble the Ark of the famed Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin destroyed in the Holocaust, the Torah scroll found its new home.

“A Scroll Saved From the Holocaust”

“I am deeply moved by this extraordinary moment,” shared Rabbi Beyo. “This Torah scroll was saved from the Holocaust and restored thanks to the donations of our community in Arizona. We are donating it to the yeshiva so that hundreds and thousands of students will learn from it and use it.”

(Photo: Ziv Hassan)

Students Share Their Emotions

Oron Revivo, a student who attended the ceremony, described his feelings: “We came to the Nova Forest to receive this Torah scroll that was saved from the Holocaust 200 years ago. We came to learn, to listen, to hear from the families, and to see all of our fallen — our holy people.”

“The Eternal Nation Does Not Fear a Long Journey”

Rabbi Shalom Malul, the head of the yeshiva, concluded the powerful event: “A very joyful day for the Jewish people… This Torah scroll was saved from the Holocaust… Nearly 80 years no one lifted it or read from it… because the nations, the haters of Israel, tried to erase the name of Israel.

“But they did not know that the Jewish people are the eternal nation! We merit to bring this scroll back to life. “This is the story of our people: even when we fall, we rise again. The eternal nation does not fear a long journey.”