Holocaust Chanukkiah

The Chanukkiah we use in our synagogue is a copy of an actual Menorah constructed of nails in one the camps by Edwin Thieburger, a Holocaust survivor. He was the father of Renee Spector, z’l, an early member. The White House also has a copy of this Chanukkiah.

Original Youth Lounge

The commemorative wall outside the entry to the Rabbi’s office covers a former door to what was once the youth lounge, a small closet like room. Despite this small sized room, there was a very active Senior Youth group during the earliest days of the Temple, under the active guidance of Alan Pekor, the first president of the congregation, and who served two (separate) terms!

Mt. Scopus Stone

The stone set in the wall near the front entry to the sanctuary is from the congregation’s trip to Israel in February 1980. The stone was collected from Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem by Bruce Berritt and brought back by the group. The stone is discoloring, as each day the students in the building fondly touch it as they pass by on their way to class. Much the same discoloration, for the similar reasons, has happened at the Kotel, the Wall, itself, in Jerusalem. The Kotel is depicted in the watercolor painting next to the stone.

High Holy Days Portable Ark

The Ner Tamid hanging on the large wooden portable Ark used on the High Holidays was found in a store window on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem; it had been part of a building in the Old City. The Edwab family donated the Ark itself; they also coordinated the donation of the outdoor flagpole.

Willow Tree

Harriett Geisler donated the willow tree in the front lawn area on Craig Road in memory of her parents and in-laws (Geisler and Issaev families) in 1995. The tree is thriving and, as planned, each Fall some of the willow branches are cut and used for the Lulav on Sukkot.

Youth Ark

Ron and Maris Lieberman commissioned, in memory of Ann Lieberman, a special lightweight Torah and a portable Ark to be used by our Youth Group and Religious School. The ark was built in Greenwich Village and Rabbi Schechter directed the carpenter that it was to contain no metal. There are no nails or screws used at all! Tradition tells us that when King Solomon built the Ark in the Temple in Jerusalem he was commanded to avoid metal, as metal was used in weapons of war. The Torah cover was added in memory of Rhoda Meyers, a beloved religious school teacher and member.

Consecration Chupah

The Consecration Chupah is a very large Tallit, which was brought back from Meah Shaarim in Jerusalemby Rabbi Schechter. It was mounted on poles and is used as a Chupah when we have large groups on the bema, such as for consecration of the incoming class of ReligiousSchool.

The Shaari Emeth Banner

After a local community rally or parade, Aviva and Yoni Schechter asked why our Temple did not have a banner, like other organizations participating. In response, Robert and Caroline Kanner agreed to donate a banner in memory of their daughter Amy. Our talented member and designer, Cye Jacobson, created the beautiful banner hanging in the rear of the Social Hall, in time for our 25th Anniversary.

Temple Mezuzot

While on their first trip to Israel in 1980, Ruth and Carl Rosencrown diligently hunted though many shops looking for mezuzahs for the Temple Shaari Emeth sanctuary and social hall doors. Finally they found just the right mezuzahs in a shop in Jerusalem. Upon their return they donated the two large dignified matching copper mezuzahs, which are on the sanctuary and social hall doorways. In 2000, in order to commemorate new beginnings after the retirement of Rabbi Schechter, they donated a third beautiful ceramic mezuzah, which is on the rear entrance door leading to the parking lot.