Our very own Superintendent, Rev. Dr Jo Cox-Darling has told the extraordinary story of how she mentioned sacred texts on a BBC Radio 2 Pause for Thought last week, and hours later found two stolen Torah scrolls on the doorstep of Whalley Range Methodist Church.
The Rev. Dr Joanne Cox-Darling chatted on air about scrolls and writing on parchment, as she delivered her early morning thoughts with presenter Owain Wyn Evans. Unbeknown to her, two Torah scrolls had been stolen in March from Beis HaMedrash Torah Etz Chaim synagogue in Salford. They are around 100 years old, holy scriptures passed down through generations, central to Jewish worship.
When the scrolls later appeared outside her church, she alerted police and interfaith contacts, who quickly identified their owners. Local Rabbi Warren Elf described the recovery as “like a miracle” and the community was “overwhelmed” to receive the scrolls. The congregation celebrated the return of the scrolls with singing and dancing, as they were carefully returned to the synagogue.
Links to further articles on this matter can be found below:
manchestereveningnews.co.uk/thieves-steal-torah-scrolls-salford