A Mineola congregation is cleaning up priceless religious documents, including a Torah, damaged in Wednesday's deluge.

Members of Beth Sholom Chabad sifted through decades worth of memories that include photographs, speeches, records and prayers. Offices, a kitchen, ballroom and downstairs synagogue were all affected ? some areas under nearly five feet of water at one time.

One of the temple's Torahs is wrapped in a shawl, ready for burial.

"A person is laid to rest in a prayer shawl to signify his life is surrounded by the good deeds and mitzvahs he did. So we treat the Torah the same way," said Rabbi Anchelle Perl.

Perl estimates it may take as much as $500,000 to repair the damage. It's a heavy financial burden for a small congregation, but the rabbi is looking on the bright side.

"We would not miss a beat in terms of turning this tragedy into something meaningful and uplifting," Perl said.