Burlingame police search for stolen Torah

Senior Rabbi Gerald Raiskin said the "unfortunate" event is leading the 50-year-old temple to install surveillance camera to monitor the constant daily visitors.

At this point, the temple is not offering a reward and is holding out hope that the thief will have a change of heart.

"We just thought that someone's conscience would lead them to return it," Raiskin said.

A father donated the Torah to the temple the day before his son's bar mitzvah 25 years ago. It is one of two complete Torahs the temple uses in its chapel. Other incomplete Torahs are used for ceremonial dances, Raiskin said.

The stolen Torah is a scroll that weighs about 40 pounds and is 175 feet when fully extended. It is believed to be between 600 and 800 years old because its printed on parchment paper made of animal skin. The Torah is printed in Hebrew and contains the first five books of Moses.

Police do not have any suspects. Since the chapel is unlocked for most of the day for use by children and other groups, it's hard to pinpoint a specific time the suspect slipped in and took the Torah.

Raiskin knows of one person who may have been mad enough to steal the Torah, but didn't tell police the name for fear of singling someone out who may not be the culprit, he said.

Meanwhile, police have alerted other law enforcement agencies of the stolen Torah and are making contact with antique stores and online auction sites. There are currently five Torahs for sale on eBay, one is selling for $50,000. The pricey Torah was listed yesterday afternoon by a rabbi with a P.O. Box in New Jersey. There were no pictures available.

The other Torahs were selling for $380 to $9,500.