LB Rabbi 'Shocked' By Torah Burglary Gains Support From Community

LONG BEACH, NY — The synagogue where Torahs and other religious items were swiped over the weekend has received a groundswell of support from the community.

The Chabad of the Beaches was burglarized and after a short investigation, a 23-year-old man was charged by Long Beach police.

Rabbi Eli Goodman was conducting Sabbath services on Saturday afternoon at another location while the West Beech Street synagogue was getting its makeover completed.

"Somebody told me that they found washed ashore some silver from a Torah and a cover," Goodman told Patch. "I didn't know if it was a shipwreck or where it came from."

The rabbi suggested bringing the waterlogged pieces to his synagogue and they'd look for the owners.

However, upon going back to his temple Saturday evening, Goodman noticed some prayer shawls were strewn in the sanctuary. Initially, the rabbi thought children were playing, but quickly it was more insidious.

"I turned the light on. I saw the ark [which contains the Torah scrolls] was broken and it was wide open," Goodman said. "There were Torahs on the floor."

After calling 911, Goodman realized the pieces discovered in the water belonged to his synagogue.

"I was startled. I was shocked," Goodman said.

Police have been searching the area for the two missing Torahs, to no avail, and the accused, Hunter McLerath, according to Goodman, is not in the state of mind to assist.

But the community is willing to help.

Goodman reluctantly created a GoFundMe page to fund new Torahs and upgraded security. It's received more than $16,000 worth of donations.

"There's been such an outpouring of love and support," Goodman said. "A lot of people have an emotional attachment to the Torahs that we had for so many years. I don't know how we can replace them."

The rabbi already changed the locks at the temple and is replacing a couple of doors that might be more vulnerable to break-in. They are also in the process of installing an alarm system.

The grand reopening following renovations to the synagogue is expected to coincide with Rosh Hashanah, starting September 6. The rabbi said to accommodate the COVID-19 concerns they will hold services for the High Holidays in the synagogue and on the beach.

"Perhaps we will see a lot more heightened security than usual for the holidays," he said.

Other Jewish leaders will hold a virtual hug for Chabad of the Beaches as synagogues will gather via Zoom for special prayers to locate the Torahs tomorrow night.

"We don't want the community to have a negative vibe before the holidays," Goodman said. "We want them to be uplifted and inspired."