Twelve Torah Scrolls Stolen in Planned Burglary at Paris Suburb Synagogue

At least 12 Torah scrolls were stolen from the main synagogue in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris, in a likely well-planned burglary that occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday. The theft was reported by the French newspaper Le Parisien on Tuesday morning. The incident was discovered early Monday by Rabbi Shalom Laloosh, who arrived to prepare the synagogue for a bar mitzvah celebration.

Philippe Cohen, president of the Jewish Culture and Religion Association of Levallois, expressed deep distress, stating that the entire community is shattered by the act. Levallois Mayor Agnès Pottier-Dumas condemned the theft as an antisemitic attack. Paris police have reviewed security camera footage showing the perpetrators loading the 12 Torah scrolls into a vehicle shortly after 2 a.m. One suspect wore a mask, while the other’s face was uncovered. The suspects then fled the scene.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident amid heightened tensions following recent large-scale riots in Paris. The theft has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about antisemitic acts in the region.