Many Torah scrolls burned in South Africa shul fire
A SYNAGOGUE in Cape Town was engulfed by fire on Tuesday night, with seven Torah scrolls reportedly destroyed in the blaze.
Beit Midrash Morasha synagogue in the city’s Seapoint neighbourhood, known by locals as the Arthur’s Road Shul, was reported to be on fire at 11pm that evening.
Four fire engines battled the blaze into the early hours of Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Cape Town fire and rescue service confirmed no injuries were reported.
Rael Kaimowitz, chair of the Cape Council of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, released a statement saying that it could confirm “on behalf of the synagogue that there are no injuries.”
It added: “Investigators report no signs of foul play at this stage and await the outcome of a full investigation.”
There was speculation on social media that the flames may have been caused by unextinguished Chanukah candles.
The shul’s rabbi Sam Thurgood told his congregants: “Everyone is okay and although the damage is substantial whatever is lost can be rebuilt.
“At this point we need prayers and mitzvot, but there will be a great deal needed in the days and months ahead. We will update you on the way forward as we have a clearer idea of the path to be charted.”
Just a few hours after the fire was extinguished, congregants gathered in the courtyard of the synagogue for morning prayers.
One of those present described how during the service one of the shul’s trustees, Lance Katz announced the underwriting of a new Torah with contributions from the entire community, as the “first of many” new scrolls that the shul hopes to
receive.