In a dramatic scene on Tuesday, members of the local Jewish community looked on as firefighters bravely entered a burning Chabad in Long Island. They were focused on rescuing a precious Torah scroll.
Jewish firefighter Michael Farka sprinted into the Chabad in Greenville shortly after a fire broke out around 7 a.m., determined to save the sacred scroll.
Emerging through a smoky door with the Torah in hand, Farka resembled a hero from a movie, bringing tears to the eyes of Chabad member Igor Shamarov, who noted that Farka didn’t appear to have any significant injuries during that intense moment.
“Torah scrolls are invaluable to us,” Shamarov expressed. “It’s akin to saving lives.”
He highlighted the significance of the event, mentioning that the community had been celebrating Shavuot, a Jewish holiday that honors the Torah, for the past two days. The successful rescue of the scrolls has only strengthened their faith.
The structure itself suffered severe damage—prayer books were soaked, charred, and much of the sanctuary remained in disarray. Nevertheless, the Torah made it through unharmed. “The Torah is more than just a book; it embodies our hearts and souls,” said congregation member Yuri Davidev, calling the incident a miracle.
Fire crews from across Nassau responded promptly, working diligently to contain the flames and prevent further destruction of the building.
They remained on-site for several hours to extinguish remaining hotspots and assess the situation.
First responders reported no injuries and indicated that an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Despite the damage, community members expressed resilience, stating that while the synagogue was affected, it wasn’t defeated. They are already planning to rebuild, seeing the Torah’s rescue as a symbol of their enduring faith.
In the meantime, Shamarov noted that they are searching for a temporary space to hold their worship services until reconstruction is finished.
