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THE VISION
In keeping with the Jewish tradition of linking with he past and building for
the future, B’nai Tzedek’s new home is a combination of historic and modern
symbols.
THE ENTRANCE
Entering the building from the parking lot, one is immediately surrounded by the
peaceful tones of nature and the story of creation the mottled browns of the
floor like the earth, the natural wood walls Like the trees, the
floor-to-ceiling windows bringing in plants and sky and light.
THE SANCTUARY
In the beginning there was no light, just darkness, a formless void. As the
visitor leaves the entrance and heads toward the sanctuary, the mood changes
dramatically from earth tones to rich blackness, from warm enclosed spaces to
awesome open heights. The sanctuary is a study in contrasts - light and dark,
day and night, new and old, high and low.
THE CEILING
In the beginning God created with The Word. Synagogue sanctuaries are often
surprising to visitors, as there, are no decorative statues or iconographic
pictures. Rather, the emphasis is on The Word of God. Thus, it is words of Torah
that decorate the ceiling of this sanctuary space, in the imagery of God’s voice
coming to us from above. The last few sentences of Deuteronomy begin at the back
of the social hall, and are immediately followed by the first few sentences of
Genesis with no break in between just as God’s Word is unending. The first word,
Bereshit, is complete; the last word, Israel, is partially hidden by a wall. One
interpretation of this phenomenon shared by Rabbi Dr. Barry Kogan is that it
represents the incompleteness of the people lsrael. Many Jews are not connected;
they are hidden, and it is the obligation of the synagogue to constantly strive
to reach out to them and bring them into the community. Another interesting
note: the sixth day of creation appears over the bimah, and the seventh day
appears over the ark. Blue letters begin each sentence and the letters
themselves are gold, the metal of perfection, symbolically divine. Gold was the
preferred color for sacred objects in ancient days.
THE PILLARS
Just as the decorative ceiling is .reminiscent of traditional European
synagogues, so too are the pillars. In fact, the emphasis on wood is this
building is symbolic of older European synagogues, mainly Polish ones, whose
columns, walls, and ceilings were constructed entirely of wood. By using wood as
a main construction element, this space becomes a remembrance of the holy spaces
of our past.
THE GLASS WALLS
Filling the sanctuary and social hail with light and nature, the glass walls
bring the visitor together with God’s world. The beauty of creation, the cycle
of the moon, the seasons of nature all become an integral part of the worship
experience. Even the floor extends into the outdoors, visually connecting the
two spaces In another view, the windows reflect the sense of freedom and
security enjoyed by Jews in this country; rather than being set apart behind
high walls and closed doors, American Jews are fully a part of the communities
in which they dwell.
THE WALL
Jerusalem. God’s city. The Holy Temple. Ir Shalem - City of Peace. The city of
our prayers. This wall is our remembrance of the holy city, of the Western Wall
and the remnants of the Holy Temple that once stood there. Built without
external mortar like the wall in Jerusalem, it floats a bit off the ground - it
is not just a stone wall, but a visual reminder of God’s presence. Thus says the
Lord: I will return unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem...There
shall yet sit old men and old women in the streets of Jerusalem...And the
streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing...
(Zechariah 8:3-8)
THE BIMAH
The bimah itself is not very high rather than a stage, it is raised just enough
so everyone can see, but not so much that it creates a physical separation
between God’s Word and the worshipers. It is undercut to create a floating,
spiritual quality to the space upon which the ark stands. The ark itself is
located off-center on the bimah. While the building faces due east, the ark is
angled to face directly toward Jerusalem.
THE ARK
The cabinet that houses B’nai Tzedek’s five Torah scrolls was rescued from North
Avondale synagogue when its doors closed a year ago. Manufactured by a
Jewish-owned woodworking shop in Norwood, it is a constant reminder of the
history of our people in the Cincinnati community and a symbol of the continuity
between generations. The commitment to history and continuity is also
represented by at least two of the Torah scrolls: one was given to the
congregation by the former Newport, Kentucky synagogue and the other was rescued
from Czechoslovakia during the Holocaust.
THE RITUAL OBJECTS
The Ten Commandments and the eternal light above the ark were fashioned by
world-renowned jeweler and artist Aaron Rubinstein. The wood forming the frame
is composed of 110 pieces of wood facing all different directions, representing
the 110 congregants/families of varied opinions, approaches, and practices who
built this sanctuary. The wood-crafted menorah, lecterns, reader’s table, and
kipot box vere fashioned by former member Peter Smith.
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