Ravaged By Irma, Virgin Islands Synagogue Holds Shabbat Service To Extend 200-Year Tradition
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Nathan Guttman September 11, 2017
The island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands was among the worst hit by hurricane Irma. But even wind gusts of near 200 miles per hour and torrential rain could not prevent the local synagogue from holding Shabbat services.
And Irma failed to damage the synagogue’s treasured Torah scrolls.
The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, a Reform synagogue serving the island’s small Jewish population and a fair amount of destination bar mitzvahs and weddings, has been around since the 1790s and has never closed its doors to a weekend prayer service.
“I was very nervous. It looked like that chain might break,” said Rabbi Michael Feshbach, who moved from his Washington-area congregation to lead the island’s synagogue several months ago.
Irma had just hit, power was cut off and curfew was imposed. But Feshbach and his wife and daughter, who is also the cantor, came to the synagogue and starting calling congregants. Eight others showed up. One family watched on Facetime.
“The centuries-old tradition was intact,” Feshbach said.
And so were the torah scrolls. Wrapped in a double layer of plastic and placed back in the ark, which was repaired a couple of years ago to prevent leaks, the scrolls remained dry.
Now the synagogue is hoping for a generator and a steady supply of propane to get through the High Holidays.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
