
By Teigan Goldsmith
Have you ever walked into the Greenberg Families Library and wondered about the Torah on display at the entrance? You’re not the only one. Although the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (SJCC) has been home to the Torah for more than 20 years, few know about its history and connection with the Holocaust.
Sefer Torah 1336, also known as the Ivanovice Scroll, has a story steeped in history, tragedy, and resilience. Arriving in Ottawa on permanent loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust in Westminster, England, the scroll was dedicated in 1998 and found its home in the Greenberg Families Library at the SJCC in April 2001. There, it serves as a powerful reminder of what Jewish communities lost during the Holocaust and the enduring spirit of survival.
Origins in Ivanovice
The scroll originates from the town of Ivanovice, now part of Czechia, situated approximately 7 kilometres from the district town of Vyškov. Before 1918, Ivanovice was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, later becoming a region of the Republic of Czechoslovakia between the World Wars.
Jewish settlement in Ivanovice dates to at least the 17th century. By 1727, the community had established a synagogue, and by the mid-19th century, the Jewish population reached its peak at 483 — approximately 20% of the town's total population.
However, following the 1848 emancipation of Jews in the Austrian Empire, many left Ivanovice for larger cities in search of better opportunities. By 1930, the Jewish population had dwindled to just 64 individuals.
The 1938 Munich Agreement and the subsequent Nazi occupation of Bohemia and Moravia in 1939 marked the beginning of a dark chapter for the Jews of Ivanovice. Under Nazi rule, Jews faced severe persecution, and most were deported to the Terezín (Theresienstadt) Ghetto, likely in late 1941. From there, they were transported to concentration and death camps. Jewish life in Ivanovice was never revived after the war.
The Journey of Looted Torahs
During the Second World War, the Nazis looted countless Jewish artifacts, including Torah scrolls from damaged synagogues with the intention of destroying them. Sefer Torah 1336 was one of those artifacts. After the war, approximately 1,100 Torahs were recovered near Prague and work began to restore the scrolls.
While some were repaired and returned to use, others were preserved as memorials to the Holocaust. The Memorial Scrolls Trust was established to ensure these scrolls would be displayed in Jewish centres, museums, schools, and synagogues worldwide, serving as a lasting reminder of the communities that perished.
A Symbol of Remembrance in Ottawa
Sefer Torah 1336 stands as a solemn yet inspiring symbol in the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. It not only commemorates the lost Jewish community of Ivanovice but also educates visitors about the resilience of Jewish heritage and the importance of remembering the Holocaust. This sacred scroll continues to bear witness to history, ensuring that the legacy of the past guides the future.
- Teigan Goldsmith is the Archivist at the Ottawa Jewish Archives and can be reached at archives@JewishOttawa.com