Our Synagogue Art

Caryn Fried, CST member and professional ceramicist, created the lovely almond blossom design on the mantle used at the dedication ceremony. The design was interpreted in silks and cottons, using appliqué and embroidery, with bead embroidery. The wimple uses elements of this sam design, using the same fabrics.

Caryn also designed a companion mantle, using an olive branch motif, for our other Torah. Our Torah scrolls will wear these mantles for the Holy Days.

Designs for the Torah covers to be worn the rest of the year are currently being translated to needlepoint canvas, and will appear later in the year. Nina Bonos’s artwork will be the inspiration for them, Elly Cohen and Marcia Gladstone will be the lead needlepointers.

While the local chapter of The Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework, Havurat Hiddur, took the lead in organizing the almond blossom mantle’s construction, several others in our community contributed in many ways.

Contributors include Susan Blair, Jamie Blumenthal, Kay Cohn, Joy Danzig and Marcia Gladstone

And a special thank you to Ben Benson, for being so accommodating with scheduling his woodworking around our needs. Ben made the special rings that line the openings in the mantle through which the scroll “spindles” protrude.

Our Bima was designed by Michelle and David Plachte-Zuieback and constructed by Greg Zall.

Just inside the main entrance to the sanctuary is the Yahrzeit Wall, where members and non-members alike are invited to add a plaque in memory of a loved one. The Yahrzeit Wall represents the synagogue’s commitment to recite Kaddish for the departed as long as the synagogue exists.Prices for plaques are $360 for members; $720 nonmembers. Order forms can be downloaded here or are available in the office.

Most of the mezzuzot for the doors throughout the new building came from Israel; some are particularly special because they are “homegrown.”

Designer and Shomrei Torah member, Linda Weiss, was specifically asked to make the unique, hand-wrought mezzuzah for the entrance door of our new sanctuary, which she then donated to the congregation.

For our mezzuzah, Linda, a professional silversmith, used sterling silver and 18k yellow gold. She employed several techniques: forming (with traditional silversmith techniques and tools), forging, inlay, fusing, decorative hammered surface embellishment, fabrication and appliqué.

Here is how Linda describes the piece:

“I chose to have the motif of the mezzuzah come from the heart rather than a literal reproduction or representation of any specific item or theme, as is most commonly found in traditional mezzuzot. I think that is fitting for Shomrei Torah because although we, as a congregation, embrace tradition, we also embrace an openminded, universally inclusive philosophy. A significant portion of inspiration also came from my feelings for my faith [and] my synagogue and [my desire to honor] Rabbi George in our new home. The design was conceived as an abstract interpretation of the gestural movement in the new CST logo—an unfurling scroll/Torah. The Hebrew letter shin is a “given” to mark the doorpost of a sanctuary, and is pierced from sheet 18k gold. The subtle inlaid 18-karat gold elements and hammered texture are purely compositional and decorative.”

Submissions from some of our STARS children:

“I think about going to temple when I’m in school, and when I’m home I think about my mom singing me the Shema at night.”

“It’s so weird I’m writing this while my moms and sister are in the next room, but when you open this, I’ll be 60! So much will have changed. Remember, I was a kid with problems once, too.”

“If I had the power to change the world, there would be no war, no littering, and no smoking.”

“My Bat Mitzvah was one of the most significant experiences of my life because I worked for it since Kindergarten. It was amazing and filled with love.”