Head of Shem Olam Institute: "This is How We Found the Tefillin in the Ruined Bunker"

No one prepared Rabbi Avraham Krieger, head of the Shem Olam Institute, for the groundbreaking discovery that would unfold through his institute. It was one of the institute's researchers in Poland who received a notification that during renovations in a building, an entrance to a bunker was accidentally uncovered. One of the workers entered the bunker and discovered a large box containing dozens of pairs of tefillin and prayer books by the wall.

"It is truly moving," says Rabbi Krieger in an interview with 'Hidabroot.' "Every time I think we've discovered everything there is to uncover about Jewish life during the Holocaust, we only see the tip of the iceberg. The findings attesting to Jewish life during the Holocaust are endless, and each discovery reveals more about how Jews lived and coped during those difficult war years."

Moved by the Findings

Regarding the tefillin found, Rabbi Krieger reveals: "A thorough examination indicates that they were made about a hundred years ago and were preserved by Jews who protected them with their lives, despite the risks."

He emphasizes an important point: "The narrative today is often focused on the murder and destruction of the Holocaust—in other words, the tragedy. At Shem Olam, we argue that beside the terrible tragedy, there were also moments of immense spiritual strength and internal struggles. Individuals and communities engaged with religious and moral questions, showcasing a profound internal Jewish world built over millennia, emerging especially during crises."

"Unfortunately, this focus is often missing from historical writings and research. This is why for the past 20 years, Shem Olam has employed researchers worldwide, searching for documents and artifacts reflecting the spiritual life of Jews during the Holocaust. While many focus on the tragedy's magnitude, we've adopted a perspective that balances the historical narrative by discovering items contributing to both historical reflection and legacy."

According to Krieger, the specific discovery of dozens of pairs of tefillin in the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto is one of the most emotional findings they've encountered in recent years. "These tefillin were found in an area that had no structures during the war but did have an underground bunker—common in many Polish buildings. Recently, excavations began to strengthen the foundations for a large new building, leading to the discovery of the bunker and its 'treasure.'"

Tefillin Amongst the Ruins

Do you have any idea how the tefillin ended up in the bunker?

"We tried to explore this with survivors from Warsaw. It seems the bunker was located in the larger ghetto area, at a transition point. People moving between different ghetto sections would use this bunker. Several possibilities are currently considered—Jews fighting during the uprising might have kept the tefillin there; it might have served as an improvised synagogue, or perhaps it belonged to individuals who gathered their tefillin there before the ghetto's liquidation."

Is it possible to identify the owners of the tefillin? Were their names inscribed?

"Names might have been inscribed on the cases, but they disintegrated completely, leaving no clue. Some tefillin were opened, likely by local Poles after the war, hoping they contained treasures, but most remain intact and impressive."

Rabbi Krieger emphasizes, "Holding these tefillin gives us perspective on the ghetto's happenings. While Warsaw Ghetto is seen as a symbol of triumph, heroism, and revolt, we must remember the subterranean heroism—the Jewish spirit and strength that the Germans couldn't break. These findings continually enhance this understanding."

"This week marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day," Krieger continues. "Globally, there's a tendency to generalize the tragedy as universal, but we must remember that our experience is incomparable. The Jewish people's journey during the Holocaust revealed our unique strength as a nation spreading light and values, even in the darkest moments."

What do you plan to do with the discovered tefillin?

"The tefillin will be displayed at 'Shem Olam.' We have an educational project called 'From Childhood to Adulthood,' guiding boys and girls at Bar and Bat Mitzvah ages. We thought offering boys celebrating their Bar Mitzvah the chance to lay such pairs of tefillin on their head and arm would be profoundly moving. It connects them to the incredible spirit of the past, drawing strength for today."