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THE LITTLE TORAH IS BACK HOME IN MUNICH
AT CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM (A Liberal Congregation)
November 9, 2004 Kristallnacht Program - Including the Transfer of Ownership of the Torah.
Adrian Michael Schell, of the Board of Directors of Congregation Beth Shalom came in person to pick up the Torah, and personally brought it back to Munich on November 14, 2004.
The World Union of Progressive Judaism, was the actual recepient of the donation from Rick Landman. Daniel Nadelmann, Director of Development for the World Union for Progressive Judasim, in turn will loan the Torah to Congregation Beth Shalom of Munich. Rabbi Kleinbaum and Rabbi Cohen and Michael Levine represented Congregation Beth Simchat Torah on this special ocassion. The Torah was housed at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah in New York City for more than a decade.
This is Adrian Schell of Congregation Beth Shalom of Munich signing the documents recieving the Torah on loan. This is Daniel Nadelmann of the World Union for Progressive Judaism signing the documents receiving the ownership of the Torah from Rick Landman and then loaning it to Congregation Beth Shalom of Munich. At the end of the Kristallnacht program presented by Rick Landman, Michael Levine and Rabbi Cohen and Rabbi Kleinbaum of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah stood before the ark with Rick Landman and Adrian Schell as the transfer of the Torah took place. Rick Landman is getting to hold the Torah for the last time at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, before it is passed on to Adrian Schell. Adrian Schell holds the Torah and reads a statement from Congregation Beth Shalom of Munich in English. At the end of the program, Rick Landman explained how he obtained an actual JUDE star from his grandfather. On November 10, 2004 Adrian Schell and Rick Landman went to a neighborhood store to have the Torah professionally boxed. Adrian Schell carries the Torah away, back to its way home to Germany. This is the cake that was cut at the Kiddish at the Friday night service on November 5, 2004. It is interesting to note the lions on top of the ark at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah. There are two female lions on the left of the 10 Commandments and two male lions on the right.
Here is the speech that Adrian Schell gave when accepting the Torah...
I am pleased, excited and honored to be here today to accept this generous
grant for Beth Shalom.
As you may know, Beth Shalom is a small community in Munich - we have some
200 members - committed to live by and apply the principles of liberal
judaism. Beth Shalom was founded almost ten years ago primarily by Americans
living in Munich who were not satisfied with the thought of attending
services at the predominantly orthodox-oriented synagogues in Munich and
having their children educated in this system. As we are not being supported
by any state funds like the orthodox community, our potential for growth has
been quite limited (but the Americans are now only a minority).
Before the Shoah the jewish community of Munich was primarily liberal in
nature with the orthodoxy being a minority. Today it is the other way around
and although remnants and pieces of liberal judaism can be found in many
places within German culture - it is only bits and pieces which we have to
revive and to work with.
The Little Torah scroll -as you so fondly call it- is leaving you
physically but it will probably remain in your hearts and minds for years to
come. For us the "Little Torah" is simply coming home.... Coming home to a
place where we hope it will provide a renewed pillar and a foundation for us
to grow with in the tradition of liberal Judaism.
We are extremely grateful to you, Rick, for donating this scroll as a gift
to the World Union for Progressive Judaism and to the WUPJ for loaning it to
Beth Shalom. We will do everything possible to make sure that the "Little
Torah" becomes a beacon for learning in our community and that this new
home will last for generations to come.
We would be very pleased if you all could come and visit us and see for
yourself how liberal judaism in Germany has taken root once again. However,
all beginnings are fragile and we need all the support we can find; it would
certainly help if all here today could spread the message to the world that
German liberal judaism is alive and well once again.
In the name of Beth Shalom :Thank you all - Todah rabah ...
Adrian Michael Schell, New York City, CBST, November 9th, 2004"
Here is the speech that Adrian Schell gave when accepting the Torah... 
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