In 2006 a selection of framed documents that had been forgotten for over a generation were uncovered in our basement. These documents of varying sizes were unreadable when found and in a terrible state because the damp conditions. There is still a large collection of materials lying in the basement that have not yet even been looked at - piles of documents and old seforim (holy books) are heaped up in disarray - these are currently being sorted through slowly and methodically.
In January 2012, after years of conservation and cleaning made possible by a family donation, a small number of these documents have returned to Sandy's Row Synagogue.
The largest document item turned out to be the inception plaque of our community. It reads ” The daughters of Israel – and lists 50 women’s names. Our founding members dedicated this community – this society of loving kindness – in honour their wives.
The second document to be conserved was on velum – commissioned by the entire community to honour the board of management of 1905 – “for having at great sacrifice to private duties devoted considerable time and energy to ensure the success and having added to the beauty and improvement of the synagogue”.
The Third document was a hand painted certificate – honouring the Chazzan Bereshit of 1919 “J.S. Polack Esq.”
These documents you see here lay uncared for in our basement - the commuity had shrunk down to only a handful of elderly memebrs, and no-one had the strength or ability to get down to the basement to sort through the materials.
These documents are now displayed on the walls of our synagogue and will never forgotten again.
We have dozens more items that need care and attention - both items on paper, and fabric – we are desperately seeking sponsors to help us. If you would like to make a donation please contact the congregation.
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