Torah Registry Initiated to Increase Synagogue Security

Synagogues all over the world are receiving information this fall about preventing the theft of sifrei torah by employing an halachically acceptable method of marking them for identification. The Universal Torah Registry, composed of representatives of the entire Jewish community will be administered by Vaad Mishmeres Stam, an organization dedicated to insuring appropriate halachic standards of stam — an acronym for sifrei torah, tefilin and mezuzot

The Orthodox Union has played a major role in the Sefer Torah Identification Committee, which was convened by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, and which developed the program. Rabbi Emanuel Holzer, chairman of the Union’s Mitzvah Projects Committee, obtained the piskei halacha from Rabbi Moses Feinstein and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik that were necessary to formulate the registration program.

Each torah registered under the new system will be marked with a numerical code — the telephone number of the synagogue or responsible individual — in invisible ink that can be seen only under an ultra-violet lamp. The codes will be registered on an international computer system called Identifax. All police departments throughout the world have access to Identifax, and will be able to use the system to determine if a torah has been stolen, and to trace its original owner.

Most stolen sifrei torah are eventuaIly sold, frequently at bargain prices, to unsuspecting synagogues. With the identification program in effect, a synagogue interested in purchasing a torah will first be able to examine it for a telephone number, and, if one is found, call to find out if the torah was sold or stolen.

The Orthodox Union is urging all synagogues to help reduce thefts and shut off the resale market by marking all sifrei torah and inspecting any scrolls that are offered for sale. Synagogues are also advised to photograph their silver objects and other valuables to help identify them if they are stolen, and to work with local police to increase synagogue security.

Identification kits, including coded rubber stamp, invisible ink, stamp pad, ultra-violet bulb and complete instructions are available from Universal Torah Registration, c/o Vaad Mishmeres Stam, 4902 16th Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204. The cost of the kit is $50. The cost of registering each sefer torah is $10 for a five year period.

All synagogues registering their sefrei torah with the Universal Torah Registry will receive, at no charge, a special kit from Identifax for marking all valuables in the synagogue. An identification number (different from the telephone numbers marked on each Torah) will be provided by Identifax together with tools and stencil to etch the number on your valuables. Also included in the kit will be stickers for doors and windows indicating that all valuables are identified and registered with Identifax.