BY MARY JANE FARMER
HERALD DEMOCRAT
SHERMAN -- Vandals and thieves broke into the Temple Beth Emeth this past week, did considerable damage to the synagogue, then left with its most sacred object, its Torah.Temple Beth Emeth's president, Andy Faber, said this is the first time in the temple's history something like this has happened, and yet, he added, the temple's community will continue to prosper and grow.
Sherman police reported that the thief or thieves kicked their way through the door. Inside, they set off a fire extinguisher, broke glass from windows and picture frames. Faber added that many tables were overturned and a few objects setting on them broke in the process.
The Torah, with its silver breastplate and yad, were inside an ark mounted on a wall. Those were the only items stolen. The Torah is valued at $40,000.
Faber said the purple-wrapped, 25-pound Torah in this temple is less ornate than most in temples with larger congregations. It is hand-written by a scribe in Hebrew, in a wording that is more difficult to read even for those who read Hebrew because it has no vowels, and is on parchment.
The Torah contains the five Books of Moses, or the first five books in the Christian Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy, the founding religious documents of Judaism. Faber said it is taken from its ark and used on different Sabbath services. It's the most sacred item because of what it represents, Faber said, and not because of its financial value, although it, like others, is expensive.
Faber said, "The person who took this can't go sell it." He and others who worship with him believe it has already been discarded or might possibly be in somebody's closet, with that somebody wondering what to do with it next. He added that the breastplate, made of silver, and the yad, a special pointer, could possibly be sold.
He and the police agree, he said, that, "It was probably young people who did not know what they were taking. The police's assertion is that when they saw the Ark, they thought that it was something important and took it, not really knowing what it was.
"A Torah cannot be sold in a pawn shop, or even to another Temple, as it would cause a red flag to wave to the approached Temple." Most Jews don't have such an item inside their homes, he said.
Along with Sherman police's investigation, the Temple's insurance company has been notified. The clean-up will require professionals, especially because of the damage caused by the fine powder from the fire extinguisher, Faber said. Until then, the synagogue is closed.
The Temple Beth Emeth assembly is accustomed to relocating or re-scheduling their worship services. The building, at 306 N. Rusk in Sherman, is directly across from Sherman Bearcat football stadium, and it's not uncommon at all for the assembly to have their services at other locations, recently at Austin College, in an effort to be right with their neighbors. The Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday nights.
Faber said that, after the shock of the situation, the police discussed the vandalizing and believe it to be a random act rather than a hate crime, "as the building was not marked and the damage to the structure could have been much worse.
"Unfortunately," Faber continued, "houses of worship are now targets for this type of vandal. The buildings are usually seldom occupied, except during services (the times are posted on signs in front of the buildings), so the vandal knows exactly when and how long he has to do whatever he desires. Other churches have been hit recently and now we can be added to the list."
The next time, he said, intruders will be met with a security system.
"We will move on and keep our chins up. That is what we do. We have a men's club meeting scheduled this week and we will move it to someone's house. Our next service will be in November and hopefully the Temple will be cleaned (by then).
"We look for positives through this and there are some. First, the outpouring from our Christian friends with e-mails, phone calls, and offers to help us," Faber said. "Secondly, the small group of Jews that make up Temple Beth Emeth will be much stronger and closer from this event. Also, we will appreciate what we have a bit more."
Faber said the Temple Beth Emeth is one of the smallest organizations in the United States.
For closure, the Temple will have a re-dedication, probably about the time of Hanukah, which is a holiday of re-dedication -- perfect timing."
The members are hopeful the Torah will find its way home. "If it doesn't, we will be stronger, more thankful for what we have, and this year at Hanukkah, we're going to have something to celebrate, it's extra special, and we do have insurance," Faber said. "We are upset, sure."
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the Torah is urged to return it to a police station, fire station, a church when its doors are open; even the Herald Democrat building, where it can be put inside, safe from the elements, and is occupied by people who will make sure it gets back to the detectives in charge of this investigation.
Sherman police can be reached at 903-892-7290.