Silk Hats for Scrolls
Friday, 06 November 2009
Manchester Reform Synagogue’s Mark Levy has turned a visit to Ludlow in 1974 into an opportunity to raise money towards the cost of repairing Torah scrolls for the shul.A silk hat – now no longer manufactured anywhere in the world – was purchased in a Ludlow antique store 35 years ago. As Mark described: 'It had a beautifully waisted crown and the brim had the double curve that only period hats possess'. It was lovingly restored, together with its original leather case, by Locks of St James, worn once by Mark for a wedding, and then encased again for some further years.
Knowing that Manchester Reform Synagogue needed to arrange for some restoration work on three of its scrolls, Mark who is Managing Director of Knutsford Exhibitions Ltd, and a former President of Manchester Reform Synagogue, formed the idea of turning his silk hat into cash for the repair work.
A Manchester Sofer had provided a cost estimate and, with this in mind, Mark advertised in the personal column of The Times, pre Ascot, in order to obtain the best possible price for his silk hat.
Having almost given up hope, 3 months later a London firm housed in a Chelsea cellar and specialising in the trade of silk toppers made contact, and Mark was able to trade his silk hat for £1000 towards the synagogue’s repair fund. The synagogue's largest Torah scroll has now seen the benefit of Mark’s donation.
More recently, Mark has concluded another deal in Chelsea for a silk hat donated by member Geoffrey Voss and for one of the warden’s silk hats from the vestry. The sum obtained has also been donated to the repair fund.
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