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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. The Kristallnacht Program started with Rick Landman using a slide presentation to relate the story of how the 200 year old Torah came from Germany to America. Click here to read the information about the slide presentation and how the Torah came to America and who brought it over.  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" |
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Uffenheim & Friedberg to Nuremberg to NYC |
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ZASLAW TO MUNICH TO AUGSBURG TO NYC |
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