Jewish Hero Firefighter Saves Torah in Shul Fire

A devastating fire tore through a building on Northern Boulevard in Greenvale, Long Island, Wednesday morning. More than 60 firefighters battled the thick smoke, but as they made their way to the basement, one hero firefighter realized that there was more at stake here.

Roslyn Highlands firefighter Michael Farca realized a section of the basement housed a Shul, which in fact hosts Chabad of Greenvale and a satellite minyan under the auspices of Chabad Of Roslyn & Old Westbury led by Rabbi Avraham Chamra and Rabbi Moshe Green.

Farca says he knew immediately to check for the aron – Torah ark, which he found.

“As soon as I saw the ark, my eye went right to it,” said Farca, who is Jewish. “I opened it to see if there was a Torah inside—and sure enough, there was,” he told News 12.

A photo of Farca holding the Torah after pulling it from the smoky basement has gone viral on social media, drawing praise from members of the Chabad of Greenvale.

“We want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Igor Shamalov, president of the congregation. “The Torah in Hebrew translates to ‘life.’ It’s our guide. It’s our life. We are very glad it was saved.”

No one was inside the building when the fire started. Investigators believe the cause was electrical and say there is no indication of suspicious activity.

Chabad of Greenvale will have a difficult and lengthy journey to restoring their Shul.

“Baruch Hashem, no one was hurt, we we were able to save our Sefer Torah but the burst pipes and water damage are going to make it difficult and lengthy for us to move back in. Our shul has been growing and we’ve outgrown our current space. As we reflect with gratitude and resilience, we know this is not the end — it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Our Jewish community in East Hills, Roslyn, and Greenvale is growing stronger every day, and now more than ever, we need your support to help us move forward,” they said.

They have launched a fundraiser to raise the necessary funds to relocate our shul to a new, larger space — one that can accommodate their expanding community.

Your generous donations will go toward securing and renovating a new building, replacing lost sefarim (holy books) and siddurim, Providing tzitzit, tallitot, and other essentials for their members, Creating a welcoming, vibrant space for learning, davening, and celebration.

Click here to donate now.

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