Our History

In 1985, Rabbi Menachem Youlus began his mission to rescue, restore and resettle Sifrei Torah wrenched from their communities during the Holocaust and deteriorating in sites throughout Europe. For almost 20 years every aspect of this critical effort was on the shoulders of one man.
 
Several years ago, Rick Zitelman a Washington, DC area businessman, made the acquaintance of Rabbi Youlus and learned of Rabbi Youlus’ efforts to bring new life to these Torahs and in the process help educate and renew Jewish communities around the world. Recognizing the importance of this project and the wonderful opportunity to involve others Rabbi Menachem Youlus, Rick and Cindy Zitelman together established Save a Torah, Inc. in 2004. In three short years, Save a Torah has resettled Torahs in over 50 communities throughout the world.

Save a Torah is committed to rescuing and resettling as many Torahs as possible. Torahs are resettled in Jewish communities without regard for affiliation. Torahs are dedicated through individual sponsorships, community fundraising, and/or the accumulation of contributions from many donors. Save a Torah maintains a relationship with each recipient community to ensure that the Torah is properly used and maintained.

Save a Torah is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization with its base of operations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. 
 

Our Mission

To locate and acquire Torahs which survived the Holocaust or had been taken from Jewish communities in other locations throughout the world.

To inspect, repair and restore these Torahs by trained soferim so that they can be resettled in communities in need of a Torah, providing financial assistance if necessary.

To research and identify the communities and original owners of our rescued Torahs and return the Torahs to the surviving owners whenever possible