Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cody Beam | 240302-N-AJ005-1106 NORFOLK, Va. (Mar. 2, 2024) Lt. Cmdr. Yonatan Warren, a Jewish...... read more read more
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In a ceremony held on March 3, 2024, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Jewish Community Relations Council presented a cherished artifact to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The event marked the return and rededication of a Holocaust-surviving Torah, a significant milestone for the ship as it emerged from a Planned Incremental Availability.
The 100-foot-long sacred scroll, an embodiment of resilience and hope, was originally bestowed upon the USS Harry S. Truman in 2007. However, its roots delve much deeper into history, originating from the 18th-century hands of an unidentified scribe. Hailing from Lithuania, the Torah held a revered place in a local congregation until the ravages of the Holocaust displaced it.
The Torah's narrative extends to its intricate adornments. The crown bears the soot of the Holocaust, while the breastplate, handcrafted in 1870s Poland, and the mantel, embroidered in New York, stand as poignant reminders of the Torah's journey through time and tragedy. Additionally, an 18th-century pointer, designed to prevent any physical contact with the scroll, further accentuating the historical tapestry woven into this sacred artifact.
The region bore witness to unspeakable horror, with less than 5% of the Jewish community surviving the devastation. Miraculously, the Torah emerged as the lone Jewish artifact from that tumultuous era, carrying with it a tale of endurance and survival.
“This Torah was going to be on display in an exhibit that would represent destruction, death and hatred as a new world order,” said. (Ret.) Vice Admiral Herman Shelanski, former commanding officer of Truman, emphasized the Torah's unique significance. “Now this Torah is getting ready to sail again on the most powerful ship in the world and with the most powerful navy in the world for freedom for justice and peace.
"This Torah survived horrendous and terrible circumstances," said Lt. Cmdr. Yonatan Warren, a U.S. Navy Jewish chaplain assigned to Truman. "[It] now lives in the heart of the USS Harry S. Truman to tell its story, to teach its lessons, and to pass down a legacy of resilience and hope."
As the Torah returns to a place called home aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, it becomes more than a relic. It becomes a living testament to the enduring spirit of a community that persevered against all odds. This ceremony not only solidifies the Torah's place within the ship's community but also serves as a beacon of remembrance for the indomitable strength that connects the past to the present.
The Torah will be held in an ark crafted for specifically for the ship’s chapel aboard the ship for viewing and religious services.
“From our Jewish community, we thank you," said Betty Levine, executive director of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. “For safeguarding our freedom and helping to secure peace around the world.”
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2024 04:21 |
| Story ID: | 488396 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 671 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Title: A Historic Homecoming: USS Harry S. Truman Welcomes a Survivor's Legacy, by PO1 Cody Beam, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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