The Manchester Jewish community that spent months hoping for the return of two stolen Sifrei Torah received joyous news this week after the sacred scrolls were unexpectedly discovered outside a church and returned unharmed.

The two historic Sifrei Torah, which were stolen nearly four months ago from the Etz Chaim Shul in Manchester, England, were found abandoned outside a Methodist church and were recovered in good condition.

Authorities and community security officials are still investigating how the scrolls ended up there. Members of Shomrim are reviewing surveillance footage from the area as part of efforts to identify those responsible.

The discovery was made after a local resident noticed the scrolls and contacted a member of the Jewish community. Photographs of the Sifrei Torah quickly circulated on social media, leading community members to realize that they were the same scrolls stolen from the Manchester synagogue months earlier.

The remarkable recovery sparked scenes of celebration throughout Manchester’s chareidi community.

On Friday, community members gathered outside the synagogue for a spontaneous celebration, marking the return of the treasured Sifrei Torah with music, singing, and dancing as they expressed gratitude to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for their recovery.

The theft had stunned local residents when it occurred in March 2026.

In the early morning hours, thieves broke into the Etz Chaim bais medrash in Manchester and stole an entire Aron Kodesh containing two Sifrei Torah, sending shockwaves through the chareidi community in the Salford area.

The burglary took place at approximately 5:30 a.m. at the synagogue, located on the city’s main Bury New Road thoroughfare. According to reports, the thieves entered the building, removed the Aron Kodesh, and used a cart to transport it to a waiting vehicle.

The theft drew widespread attention at the time, with community leaders and residents expressing heartbreak over the loss of the treasured scrolls.

Now, nearly four months later, that anguish has turned into celebration, as the community welcomes back the Sifrei Torah, intact and safely returned home.

{Matzav.com}