The devastated Czech communities of České Budějovice and Vlašim were commemorated at an annual Shabbat morning memorial service at Radlett Reform Synagogue.
With the aid of a specially prepared booklet, Radlett’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Paul Freedman, talked about the Jewish community in the towns of České Budějovice and Vlašim. He told the gathered congregation that it was unusual to have two Czech scrolls loaned to one community – two of the 1,500 rescued from the Nazi regime and restored at the Westminster Synagogue by the Memorial Scrolls Trust.
Radlett member Simon Gordon, a key organiser of the memorial, detailed the history of the Torah scrolls and how they came to be in Radlett’s possession. During the Torah reading, Rabbi Paul described one of the scrolls as Kabbalistic, pointing out the beautiful extra flourishes on some of the letters.
Simon said: “These two scrolls represent many lost in the Holocaust, and it’s up to us to honour those communities and take their memories forward.”
Names of some of those who were deported from the area and sadly perished were placed on the bimah by those present before the memorial prayers.
Synagogue President Barry Hyman said: “This initiative began with myself and another congregant visiting České Budějovice with their scroll in 2005 for a commemorative exhibition. Since then, led by Simon, we have had regular remembrance events.”