Tour of Temple Israel

STOP IV -- Sanctuary
(Click on photo below for a larger image)

A - Ner Tamid
The Ner Tamid (or Eternal Light) that is suspended above the Ark burns continually as instructed in Leviticus Chapter 24 verse 2, "Command the children of Israel to bring unto you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, to cause a lamp to burn continually."

B. Ark Decoration
Above the Ark is a sculpture of intertwining vines with pomegranates which are an ancient symbol of fruitfulness.

C. The Ark Curtains
The Ark curtains were designed by the artist Tita Stern Zeffren who grew up in this congregation. The curtains are needlepoint and were made by members of the congregation. The motifs on the curtains represent the Jewish Holiday Cycle (beginning from top right): Shofar for Rosh Hashanah, Scales of Justice (weighing good and evil acts) for Yom Kippur, Lulav and Etrog for Sukkot, Torah Scroll for Simchat Torah, Chanukiah for Chanukah, Megillat Esther for Purim, Cup of Redemption rising out of the slavery of Egypt for Passover, and the Ten Commandments for Shavuot.

D. Torah Scrolls
As we open the Ark you can see the Torah Scrolls inside. Each Torah Scroll contains the 5 books of Moses. They are made of parchment and written by hand in Hebrew. Each Torah Scroll is covered with a velvet mantle. All the scrolls except one are adorned with Rimonim or crowns and a breast plate. The breast plate is symbolic of the one worn by the High Priest in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Today, the breast plates have various designs but the original ones worn by the High Priest had 12 stones each representing one of the tribes of Israel. Each Torah Scroll also has a YAD or pointer that is used when reading from the Torah.The one Torah Scroll that lacks ornamentation is our Holocaust scroll that was rescued from a synagogue in Czechoslovakia.

E. Menorah (Click on photo below for a larger image)
Recall we saw the large menorah outside. Here is another menorah. Again, the menorah is symbolic of the Tree of Life. It was designed by Seymour Lipton who designed the Ner Tamid and the Ark decoration. You will remember that the 7 branch menorah is the central symbol of Judaism. The menorah is lit for services on Friday night and Holidays.

F. Shabbat Candle Stand (Click on photo below for a larger image)

G. Chupah
A chupah is a canopy that is only used for a wedding ceremony. We are having a model wedding during Shalomfest, so we have the Temple's Chupah set up. A chupah can be set up anywhere: outside, in an auditorium, in a home. The chupah is symbolic of the new home that will be established by the bride and groom.