At first glance, it’s easy to overlook the small Torah now displayed at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. But its extraordinary journey — from the horrors of the Holocaust to the vast expanse of space— is a testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring power of memory.
During the Holocaust, a boy named Joachim Joseph, known as Yoya, read from a tiny Torah during his secret Bar Mitzvah in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. After surviving the camp, Yoya kept the Torah as a reminder of his strength and faith. Decades later, in 2003, Yoya entrusted this sacred object to Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who took it aboard the Columbia space shuttle to symbolize hope and survival. Tragically, the mission ended in disaster when the shuttle broke apart upon reentry.
In 2006, another small Torah carried a similarly powerful story. This Torah belonged to Dr. Henry Fenichel, a Holocaust survivor who also endured Bergen-Belsen as a child. Given to Fenichel by elderly relatives who escaped from Nazi Germany, the Torah’s origins are unknown. Its cross-cultural mission, however, is clear. At the request of Rona Ramon, Ilan’s widow, astronaut Steve MacLean brought Fenichel’s Torah into space aboard the Atlantis space shuttle. This Torah safely returned to Earth, completing its celestial journey and becoming a symbol of survival and resilience.
The tiny Torah’s extraordinary history is interwoven with that of Fenichel, whose life journey is a remarkable blend of survival, science, and fate. From narrowly escaping the Nazis as a child to becoming a respected scientist and educator, Henry has shared his story with countless audiences, using the Torah as a focal point of hope and remembrance.
Fenichel was a distinguished physicist and professor at the University of Cincinnati, where he dedicated decades to teaching and research. His work spanned topics from atomic physics to atmospheric science, and he was widely respected for his contributions to science education. Dr. Fenichel’s passion for learning and teaching was deeply rooted in his life experiences, inspiring countless students and colleagues to pursue knowledge with curiosity and determination. His legacy at UC reflects his commitment to both academic excellence and the values of resilience and perseverance.
Visitors can view this extraordinary artifact, along with many others that tell powerful stories of resilience and survival, during the Anita & Hank Schneider Family Holocaust Remembrance Month initiative, which offers free admission to the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center throughout January. This month also marks another milestone: the addition of Henry Fenichel’s story to the Dimensions in Testimony exhibit, where visitors can engage interactively with Henry’s preserved testimony. Together, these experiences provide a profound opportunity to connect with history, honor survivors, and reflect on lessons that remain urgently relevant today.
Plan your visit today and join us in honoring history, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.
Mark Your Calendar: Henry Fenichel Speaks on January 26
Join us on Sunday, January 26, at 11 a.m., for a special International Holocaust Remembrance Event at Union Terminal. Henry will share his personal story, including the journey of his tiny Torah and its powerful symbolism. This event, part of our month-long free admission initiative, is a unique opportunity to hear directly from a survivor whose life and legacy continue to inspire. Register now.
