The Zimbabwe Situation

100 years of Jewish history up in smoke

‘Miracle’ saves torahs

By Ronit Loewenstern

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe -- More than 100 years of Jewish history went up in smoke yesterday (October 4 2003) when the historic Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation synagogue burnt to the ground.

Although priceless sidurim, Hagadot and other Jewish books and relics were destroyed, no one was hurt in the blaze. Even so, said a tearful Beilah Bloch, it was a "miracle that our torahs were saved". Had it not been for the quick thinking of congregants, Rodney Lepar and Raymond Roth, six old torahs and numerous smaller ones would have perished as well. Also saved was the Arc curtain made in 1725.

According to eyewitnesses, Mr Lepar and Mr Roth were looking in through a window of the burning building when they each "saw" a torah near the Arc. Although each saw a different coloured one through the flames that was the ‘sign’ Rodney needed. Despite protests from firemen and heedless of the burning beams and thick smoke, he ran into the building. The steel doors of the Arc were locked by a strong padlock, yet Mr Lepar some how managed to kick them in, away from the concrete pillars. He then grabbed anything he could lay his hands on and passed them out of the building.

Damage estimated in the millions (Zimbabwe $) came on the eve of Yom Kippur, as the congregation was making ready to gather with their new rabbi, Rabbi Nathan Asmouch, newly arrived from Israel. He ran three kilometres from his home, as it was Shabbat, to be with the grieving community. Most poignant of all was Rev Laizer Abrahamson, who this year celebrated his 104^th birthday, (born April 2 1899). After the flames were doused, with water dripping from the rafters, he only stand and stare, walking stick in hand, Yarmuckah askew as he wiped tears away.

The Bulawayo Hebrew Community, which now numbers only about 170 souls – down from more than 3000 at its zenith in the 1960s – has a long and proud history. The ‘shul’ as the city’s landmark is known, began in a canvass tent in 1894 and grew over the years into a magnificent stained-glass structure. Its inaugural meeting of 21 pioneers in then Rhodesia was held shortly after Bulawayo was proclaimed a town. Emanuel Basch, Bulawayo Mayor and Congregation President, laid the foundation stone on May 17 1910 and the building was consecrated in April 1911. Years later, this synagogue was not big enough to contain the growing community and overflow services were held in nearby buildings. So in 1945 Leonora Granger, a well-known local architect, drew up plans for a more ‘modern’ building. By the 1960s the building consisted to two facades – the front a magnificent Cape Dutch style originally designed through a competition and the stylish red brick and stained glass modernist Granger side – Both are now gone.

The small-standing community is justly proud of its record – not a day missed in its history whereby a minyan was not formed, then and now. Said the rabbi in 1929, Rev M I Cohen, "Since the beginning (1898) we have never held a single meeting outside our own buildings."

Despite the tragedy, by Sunday morning, the congregation was flat-out cleaning the torahs, their silver templates, washing the white Yom Kippur clothes and gathering their strength from each other. Services would now be held in make shift premises. Said David Lasker, "The façade can be saved." Perhaps the community can build again.

NB: Anyone willing to assist by donation or kind word can contact the Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation President, Alan Feigenbaum, on this email address.