Become a Member
News

Vicar’s plea to save Torah scroll of Iraq's last Jews

June 7, 2012 10:34
Warrior of the Lord: Canon Andrew White

ByMarcus Dysch, Marcus Dysch

1 min read

A vicar who oversees the protection of Baghdad’s seven remaining Jews is hoping to find assistance to save 365 ancient sefer Torah scrolls.

Canon Andrew White said the scrolls were currently kept in the basement of a church museum in the Iraqi capital where they are rotting and liable to be eaten by rats.

He hopes to transfer at least one of the scrolls to Baghdad’s one remaining, non-functioning, synagogue.

Known as the Vicar of Baghdad, Canon White works at the city’s St George’s Anglican Church and provides humanitarian aid to hundreds of Iraqis, including the remaining, tiny Jewish community.