Rabbi Bentzion Chanowitz relates: At around 4:00 PM on Tuesday the 24th of January, we were informed that our missing Sefer Torah had been recovered. We immediately drove to the Monticello Police Department. The Torah was in a large plastic bag stored in a larger box.
Shliach Relates Story of Stolen Sefer Torah
Rabbi Bentzion Chanowitz relates: At around 4:00 PM on Tuesday the 24th of January, we were informed that our missing Sefer Torah had been recovered. We immediately drove to the Monticello Police Department. The Torah was in a large plastic bag stored in a larger box.
We were not allowed to touch the Torah and examine it to ascertain its condition, yet its external appearance looked good. The Torah was covered by its original mantel, but we did not see the silver pointer that usually hangs on it.
The Police Department is still in the middle of an investigation, so care must be given to the sensitive nature of the information, yet the story so far seems to be as follows:
Chris Collvil was arrested Tuesday at 12:00 PM for this crime, and the Torah was found at the house he was staying at. It seems that Chris was working for a landlord in Woodridge. There was another person arrested then, who was released shortly afterwards.
We know Chris Collvil at the synagogue. The synagogue had smoke damage about a year ago. Chris worked for the contractor Don McBride at that time. He also helped other workers at the synagogue.
Chris was known as a “bull.” He is very strong physically. Any job that required a lot of strength was given to him. Though he is a large man, he has a soft side to him, which makes him likeable.
Chris was on the police list from the beginning. We had received a call from Chris the Thursday before the break-in had occurred, he said that he had just left prison and was looking for a job. He gave us a temporary phone number and said that he would soon give us a better number. He did this on Sunday after the break-in.
The two busted down doors were done without any tools. They made us suspect Chris even more, since he could physically push the doors down himself.
The police were looking for him during these three weeks. He said that he was out of the country. He called once to make an appointment, which he ignored. Later on, we sent a message to him; he called back and then made another appointment with the police, which he also ignored.
Incidentally, we can personally testify to the expertise of our local police department as well as all of our neighboring facilities, the Liberty and Fallsburg Police, the state Police, the Sheriff’s Department and the D.A.’s office. They worked together well and were all very devoted. I was especially inspired by the quality of our local detectives, inspectors and officers as well as our chief. We really have a superb police force. I hope they continue with much success here in Monticello.
We were hoping to celebrate our welcoming the Torah back on Tuesday night, but the police still need to keep the Torah until the investigation is over. As soon as it’s over, we plan to parade the Torah down Broadway, from the Police station to our dear shul. This would complement the last time we paraded our Torah in 1997 from the Community Center, down Broadway to our shul.
We are thankful to the Almighty for his divine assistance, as well to the many kind people who helped us.
So many of us, as a community, got involved, prayed and cared about getting our Torah back. United, we succeeded. When we work together, there is so much that we can accomplish.
So the thief was a non-Jew!
Wonderful news that the Torah was found and being returned. Even better news was that the thief was caught and we know he is a non-Jew!
I think an apology is due…
The media reported that the rabbi accused (or raised the possibility) that a Jew may have stolen his Torah.
“…as hard as it may be to believe that a Jewish person would do such a thing,” said Rabbi Benzion Chanowitz.
For a Jew to point to other Jews and cast upon them suspicions without any proof creates a huge chilul Hashem! This is exactly what our enemies want to hear!
Such statements without any proof or foundation casting suspicions on Jews, if made by a non-Jew would rally cries of antisemitism. It is no less justified if made by a fellow Jew, much less a rabbi (who should know better).
At the VERY LEAST an apology is due in a PUBLIC FORUM to rectify the casting of a cloud of suspicion on members of the Jewish Nation.
Rejoice and celebrate the miracle, but rectify the damage that was caused especially now that it became apparent that the allegation was without merit.
Everyone standing while rabbi speaks?
Is the good rabbi reading the rebbe’s letter to his members? Why else would everyone be standing while he speaks to them???
inside scoop
as a local member of the community i can share a few insights. the rabbi shrewdly told the local paper that he suspects a jew was involved simply so that the true suspect would drop his guard. our rabbi is very smart and plans ahead. he is calculating in every word he says. his help and guidance assisted the police in locating the burglar and the stolen torah. there is no need to criticize his words or actions as a monday quarterback. he did what needed to be done and got the results. to me that is true leadership.
What is Perp-s name
Collvil or Collive?!
Are you SURE it is YOUR Stoliner Torah?
Since “we were not allowed to touch the Torah and examine it to ascertain its condition” how can you be certain THIS is your Stoliner Torah????????
Nooch nisht peerim
Rabboisay dee machtz tzu feel litzoonus halt zeech ayn sis nooch nisht peerim
to 2
maybe the members are standing to give the rabbi a standing ovation.
Reward money
Use the “reward money” of $6,000 for a good cause: a security system, CCTV, a safe and “bull”-proof doors.