challenging a myth
Today, in nearly 1300 synagogues, institutions, museums, and places of distinction around the world, a Czech Torah Scroll resides. Whether it is used in worship, or is displayed as a memorial, the Scroll's mere existence can be seen as a miracle.
The story that accompanied these Scrolls was that they were collected by the Nazis during the war to be used in a "Museum of an Extinct Race". It is a startling. Even plausible.
But it isn't true.
In this documentary film, we will tell of the Scroll’s journey, and how the real narrative, while sometimes clouded by myth, reveals an important, often overlooked truth.
dale bluestein - producer / director / videographer / editor
A story that needed to be told.
In 2008, when I first learned about the story of the Czech Scrolls, I was amazed. There, in the sanctuary of my very own Synagogue in Minneapolis there was one of these precious links to a people and life that had perished. The Scroll they held and worshiped with was in our care. It was so powerful and moving.
To learn the story that they were collected by the Nazis to be used in this so-called Museum, it was even more stunning. I started to research and learned... that the story wasn't true. There was so much more to tell.
So I decided to try to tell it.
A long journey.
With trips to London, Prague, Israel and many Synagogues in across the
United States, I have been gathering pieces of this story since 2009. Much of my work has been research based, but in 2014 I began filming. In 2022, I had the opportunity to work on a documentary film about the restoration of a Synagogue building in Pacov, Czech Republic.
Looking to finish in Spring, 2026
February of 2024 marked 60 years since the arrival of the Scrolls in London. It was a profound experience being there to document the event.
The final push
The goal is to complete the film by Spring of 2026. Now that I have been to the significant locations and spoken to many of the subject's experts, it is time to bring the film together. This Fall will be the final push.
work along the way
Soferet Alex Casser does work on MST Scroll #3 in her studio in Alexandria, VA in 2019.
The Michle Synagogue building today
Index card describing the condition when the Czech Scrolls were brought into the Westminster Synagogue in 1964.
Outside the Westminster Synagogue in London
The existing collection of Scrolls maintained at the Memorial Scrolls Trust
Commemorative marker outside the Jewish School that became the Jewish Museum during the war in the Jewish quarter in Prague.
Contact me
If you would like to know more about the project or have ideas or information that you think could be helpful in the ways of support, I would love to hear from you.
