Restoration of Our Russian Torah Scroll

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY AND RESTORATION OF OUR RUSSIAN TORAH SCROLL By Cantor Roy B. Einhorn

In the Soviet Union in the 1970s there were no Jewish a diplomatic pouch, which was not subject to customs schools, no access to the synagogues in the main cities, inspection. With the hope that one day the family and no open celebrations of Jewish holidays, and no way the scroll would be reunited, the Feinbergs separated the to purchase kosher wine or matzah. Given this hostile parchment from the Torah rollers in order to fit it in the landscape, it is astounding that Misha Feinberg found his pouch, in that way the parchment was brought into the way, through underground sources, to a man who sold United States. Jewish artifacts from his apartment. Amon the items in the man’s illicit inventory was a small Torah scroll from Soon after the Congressman’s visit, the Feinbergs were some time in granted permission to the mid-1800s. emigrate. The family Apparently the of four could only take seller wasn’t aware six suitcases and $500 of the spiritual value with them. But what of the scroll, but to do with the Torah he knew someone rollers? Ena put them would be willing in her suitcase and to pay for it. Who hoped for the best. The knows what would customs official at the have happened to airport found them and this Torah without demanded to know what Misha’s clandestine they were. Ena claimed visit. that she loved baking, and these were her In 1979, the rolling pins. When asked Feinbergs applied why she had two, she for a visa to emigrate to the

Cantor Einhorn and Andrew Feinberg, inking in the final letters

and completing the project with the scribe, Rabbi Moshe Druin. mumbled, “I bake a lot.” Satisfied, the customs United States. But, like all the other Jews who did the official allowed her to leave the Soviet Union with the same, they were refused permission to leave and their Torah rollers in her suitcase. status changed from ordinary citizens to “Refuseniks.” The Feinbergs, like others who were denied permission to The Feinbergs settled in Boston and became members of leave, lost their jobs and, in order to provide food for their Temple Israel. For several years, their son Andrew worked families, were forced to work in positions that were below at the Temple’s financial office under the direction of then their abilities. Executive Director Leon Rothenberg (z'l). In 1995, the Feinbergs donated the Torah to our synagogue. Eight years into their internal exile, the plight of the Feinberg family caught the attention of a non-Jewish Until 2019, the precious Russian Torah was used sparingly Republican Congressman from Texas. The Congressman because many of the letters were cracked, making it traveled to Moscow in 1987 and brought everything that extremely difficult to read. Last year, with a very generous was necessary for the Feinbergs to conduct a Passover gift from the Feinberg family, the scroll was completely seder in their apartment. During his visit, Misha and restored and declared Kosher. Our Russian Torah scroll his wife, Ena, showed their secret Torah scroll to the is now an active part of our Torah family. We thank the Congressman. Understanding the importance of the scroll, Feinberg family for this incredible gift which will now be the Congressman offered to take it back to the U.S. in used for generations to come.