Explanation of the Murals

Our Synagogue | History of Our Synagogue

click for larger image Let us now direct our attention to the Sanctuary which is on the right of this corridor. This is divided into three sections, each having its separate entrances; the center section for the seating of the men and the two raised side sections for the seating of the ladies, with a total capacity of 1218. The moment we enter these sacred portals we can sense the unique and awe inspiring feeling of a House of G-d. First to strike our gaze are the four murals, two on either side of the Ark, at the east wall. Here, too, are the impressive Ten Commandments which appear to be suspended in mid-air in front of the Ark, and the Eternal Light. These murals are painted over wood panels to represent the gigantic granite blocks of the Wailing Wall outside the ancient Temple grounds in Jerusalem. In order to represent a continuous and living Faith with the hope for redemption and salvation, these granite blocks were covered with symbolism taken from the Jewish calendar year, on the inner murals, and Jewish history, on the outer ones.

click for larger image Considering the 20' x 10' Ark as the place of honor, we turn our gaze to the mural on its immediate right. This has as its subdued motif the pomegranate tree to which the children of Israel have been likened. In beautiful rich colors one can see the Shofar--Ram's Horn, representing Rosh Hashanah--the Jewish New Year; the Esrog--citrus fruit, the lulov--palm branch, with the myrtle and willow twigs, representing Succot--the Feast of Tabernacles; an antique Chanukah Lamp, representing the Feast of Lights; a three-tiered Seder tray with the six kinds, representing Passover; the first page from a copy of the Talmud printed in 1438; Blessing hands, representing the Day of Atonement; the golden seven-branched candelabra as described in the Bible and used in the ancient Temple; the Scroll of the Book of Esther, representing the Feast of Purim; the chair of Elijah as is used in the circumcision of Jewish male children and which traditionally was placed in a niche of the east wall of ancient synagogues.

click for larger image The outside mural to the Ark's right is framed in six of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, representing the first six months of Hebrew calendar, beginning with the month of Nisan; the emblems of the first six sons of Jacob--the mandrakes representing the Tribe of Reuben; the ancient city of Sh'chem, the Tribe of Simeon; the High Priest's breast plate, the Tribe of Levi; the Serpent, the Tribe of Dan; the Gazelle, the Tribe of Naphtali; one column of the two known of Yachin and Boaz which flanked the entrance into the ancient Temple; the Tabernacle built by Moses in the desert; the synagogue building which we have now vacated; the portable Alter of the ancient Temple; one of the stones from the recently discovered Capernaum Synagogue, of the second century, containing the oldest known example of the Star of David; both sides of the half Shekel coin of the Bar Kochba period; a fragment of the Stele of Measha containing the oldest known Hebrew writing; Mount Sinai; a bronze Chanuka candelabra of a very ancient date; the leopard and the eagle, representing the boldness and ease with which a Jew is to do the bidding of G-d.

click for larger image To the Ark's left the inner mural is covered by the subdued outline of the vine tree to which the children of Israel have been likened. This mural contains two Sabbath candelabra, two challah loaves on a silver tray with cloth cover and a wine cup, representing the Sabbath; a Sabbath Havdallah candle set in a silver holder with spice box, representing our leave-taking of the Sabbath; an open Torah scroll set in a golden case; a Torah crown; an ancient wedding ring; a hanging Sabbath lamp; the Omer calendar with the number 33, representing the 33rd day of the 49 days of Omer, which are counted between Passover and Pentecost; a Torah breastplate; a Prayer Shawl with the fringes containing the blue thread of T'cheles; T'fillin--Philacteries, used in week day prayer; a silver Mezuzah, representing the parchment placed on the doorpost of Jewish homes and a Tz'dakah--Charity Box.

click for larger image The outside mural to the Ark's left is framed in the remaining six of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, representing the last six months of the Hebrew calendar; the emblems of the other six sons of Jacob--the tents, representing the Tribe Gad; the olive tree, representing the blessings of plenty for the Tribe of Asher; the beast of burden, representing the Tribe of Issacher; the ship, representing the maritime enterprises of the Tribe of Zebulon; the ox and the unicorn, representing the Tribe of Joseph, which was divided in two for his two sons, Ephraim and Manassah; the wolf, representing the Tribe of Benjamin; the Kiyor--the bronze basin set upon twelve golden oxen, from the Temple of King Solomon, for the laving of the hands of the priests; the other column of Yachin and Boaz; the Table of Shew Bread from the ancient temple; the stone from the Capernaum Synagogue; both sides of the Bar Mitzvah coin of the modern State of Israel, representing the year in which this synagogue was built and expressing the continuity of Jewish life; the ancient Temple of King Solomon; the Tomb of Rachel; the Dead Sea Scrolls; the lion and gazelle, representing the fortitude and fleetness with which a Jew is to do the bidding of G-d.