San Diego (special) -- A 175-year-old Torah which survived the Holocaust, having been once again made kosher by a sofer in New York, will be rededicated at Congregation Etz Chaim's Erev Rosh Hashanah services on Monday, Sept. 17.

Identifying marks were present on many Torahs which had been seized by the nazis during World War II, and which later were acquired by the Westminister Synagogue in London  for the use of Jewish congregations around the world. This Torah, however, bore no such markings-and except for the fact its scribe noted that he had completed writing it in 1826, precious little was known about the Torah's history.  Absolutely nothing was known about the European congregation which once had used it.

Perhaps because the Torah had belonged to an "unknown congregation" it became the object of an extra measure of sentimentality became among the members of Congregation  Etz Chaim, a small Reform congregation based in the community of Ramona.  After the letters on the scroll became too faded for ritual use, the members decided in June of 1998 to launch a fundraising campaign to have the Torah restored.

Besides making  contributions to their Torah restoration fund in honor of various simchas, members of Etz Chaim also appealed to Jews around the world to consider contributing in memory of the unknown congregation.  Eventually sufficient money was raised to pay for restoration work by Rabbi Moshe Klein of Klein Brothers in New York City. 

The Torah restoration project attracted contributions from not only Jews but Christians as well, including the neighboring Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Ramona, according to Rhoda Hamburger, president of Etz Chaim.   

Usually, Congregation Etz Chaim  conducts its services in members' homes.  For the High Holidays, however, Rabbi Mark Hurvitz will lead the services at the Rotunda, 16911 Gunn Stage Road, in Ramona.  He will be aided by Cantor Al Wollner.