Monticello Torah “In Good Shape”

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Benzion Chanowitz of the Landfield Avenue Synagogue and Director of Chabad of Monticello, NY, got a call Tuesday morning that the Torah stolen 3 weeks ago has been found.

“I don’t have details because the police are in the middle of an ongoing investigation,” Chanowitz told COLlive.com on his way to the police department to identify the scroll.

“I heard that the Torah is in good shape and we are of course very happy with this development,” he said of the scroll that was written 10 years ago as a community effort.

A small celebration will be held Tuesday night, 7 PM, at the shul. “Hashem gave us a present and we want to thank Him for it,” the rabbi said.

The Torah went missing on Friday night, December 30, when the rabbi and congregants found the office broken into and the Aron Kodesh empty.

A $6,000 reward was offered for its safe return and over 100 Jews and Christians attended a rally in support of the shul.

No details were given on how and where the Torah was found.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the theft, Yeshiva World News reported.

Rabbi Chanowitz praised the Monticello Police, the Sherrif’s office and the New York State Police for their “tremendous amount of effort.”

“I would also like to thank the media – the radio stations here, COLlive and others – for helping get the word out,” he added. “Publicity makes it real and keeps it in people minds and pushes the public officials.”

He said a large celebration will be held once the Torah is returned to the shul and the investigation is closed.