The rescue of the six Torahs during a fire at Adolph Schreiber Hebrew Academy of Rockland this week is a testament to better relations between firefighters and the religious community. The reasons are twofold: a better understanding of the cultural and religious needs of the town’s diverse population, and a growing diversity of membership – including those from the Orthodox community – in the volunteer departments. More understanding, we have already seen, means a better working relationship and increased safety for all.
During the blaze early Tuesday morning, firefighters coordinated a team to go in and grab the invaluable scrolls. Nathan Rothschild, ASHAR’s treasurer and a Monsey Fire Department volunteer, helped carry out the hot-to-the-touch Torahs. Rothschild, also the East Ramapo school board president, said that all departments first examine a situation “firematically,” and that every situation, from a church to a synagogue to a day-care center, has special considerations. When he explained the Torahs were in the building, not protected by a fire safe, Rothschild said, it was understood that if and when it was safe to go in, the Torahs would be retrieved. “All Ramapo fire companies would do the same thing,” Rothschild, also a Monsey Fire Department commissioner, told the Editorial Board.
Those are lessons firefighters in Ramapo have learned over the years, Rockland County Fire Coordinator Gordon Wren told the Editorial Board. The Hillcrest volunteer recalled one of his first responses to a fire in Ramapo. It was 1966 and around Passover. A large temple was burning, but there was the added distraction of men in the community trying to get into the building, despite the danger. The fire chief told the younger firefighters to “do everything you can to keep the guys from going into the building to rescue the torah,” Wren recalled. “It was a football game, actually knocking them down….they were in a frenzy to get to the torahs.”
Since then, the fire service in Ramapo has learned how to treat a torah and other religious books at a fire scene.
Click HERE to read the extended article on the Journal News website.
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11 Responses
what a major kiddush Hashem!!
Nathan Rothschild is a tremendous Askon and Gomel Chessed without ANY hoopla or self promotion. He does so much for the exteneded Monsey community, but does it all VERY quietly, always shunning the limelight.
More understanding, we have already seen, means a better working relationship and increased safety for all.
PRETTY SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND..
Can someone please tell me, in todays day and age, why was there no safe?Why is it worth the risk?
This is just another example of “if people can just get along” ! Then, so much more good can be accomplished in this world. “Be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1).
I think the fact that half the fire department is jewish may have also played a role.
#5 left brooklyn
What’s Ephesians, and why do you have to quote it when veholachto bidrochov is one of the 613 mitzvos?
#7 good post
from wikipedia: “Ephesians does not seem to have originated in any special circumstances, but is simply a letter springing from the author’s love to the church. It is an indication of his desire that they should be fully instructed in Christian doctrine. However, unlike Romans, which is an exposition by Paul of the gospel of salvation, Ephesians unfolds the consequences of salvation, particularly in relation to the church.”
I think that left brooklyn = Left Yiddishkiet (no I am not equating brooklyn with yiddishkiet) Left brooklyn is attempting to proselytize on this site – this post and all posts by left Brooklyn should be removed from YW
Thank you mdlevine. I certainly agree that leftbrooklyn (lucky brooklyn!) should be banned from YW immediately.
To #7 – if more people would 1) remember that we were created b’tzalmo and 2) that we recite 3 time/day “l’takayn olam b’malchut shakai” the world would be a much better place.
To #8 – your comment re: moi, couldn’t be further from the truth.
To #7 & and #8 – know your neighbors. “Da ma l’hasheev”
1. it’s not just that particular dept that has frum members, there are 2 other depts in the Town that have frum members and even more depts with jewish people who know enough to make sure special attention is taken in shuls, etc. Same can be said for those of other religions – which is one of the reasons why the vol depts in Rockland due such a fine job on a consistant basis – the members are made up of caring people from the various communities, not just one community. As a proud member for over 17 years, I can tell you it’s wonderful all around.