At the ceremony to reveal the refurbished sanctuary with its new glass-fronted ark at Congregation B’nai Israel, deputy president Arthur Becker, left, president Dr. Yona Shulman, and Rabbi Andrew Bloom greet the congregation.
Photo by Allison Newfeld
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The refurbishing was completed over the summer, with new carpeting and seating as well as a new ark.
Photo by Paul Fleischer
Workmen construct the new setting for the ark using Jerusalem limestone.
Photo by Paul Fleischer
September 21, 2009
For about two years, Rabbi Andrew Bloom of Congregation B’nai Israel in Rumson mulled over an image in his mind — of an ark in which the Torah scrolls could be safely contained, as the Talmud prescribes, and yet be visible at all times, exposing worshipers to their power to uplift and inspire.
As this summer began, he was given a chance to realize that vision. A couple whose daughter was to become bat mitzva, Robert and Debra Picard, asked what they could do for the synagogue. “They said, ‘Tell us what you want,’” the rabbi recalled. So he told them about his dream of a glass ark.
Four other couples joined the Picards in the project. Thanks to their combined generosity, work began almost immediately. With Samantha Picard’s big day coming up on Oct. 3, and that of a close friend, Emily Woolley, scheduled for early September, speed was essential.
New York designer Robert Passal, a close friend of the Picards who has worked on their home, agreed to take on Bloom’s concept. He and his staff plunged into research on traditions, symbolism, and materials and how to achieve both the warmth and the simplicity Bloom wanted. They also met with the temple board, to answer questions and allay any possible concerns.
Just seven weeks after the renovation work began, on Friday, Sept. 4, the congregants got to see their rabbi’s vision made real, together with a major refurbishing of the sanctuary and the social hall. Some 300 people came. In a festive procession, they carried the nine Torah scrolls back from the daily prayer hall where they had been temporarily housed to their new setting.
Memories of Jerusalem
Where before there was a wooden cabinet and a traditional velvet parohet, or curtain, now there was pale gold Jerusalem stone surrounding a glowing blue enclave, with Hebrew lettering and the Tree of Life — etched on glass doors — seemingly floating in the air. Enclosed in their blue-tiled niche, the scrolls could be seen in all their glory.
There was jubilation and dancing, with the Torah scrolls held up under a wedding canopy. Bloom said the project turned out better than he ever hoped. What delighted him even more than that initial exuberance was, in the days that followed, finding people sitting quietly alone in the sanctuary outside of service times, praying or meditating.
“My job as rabbi is to bring the congregation and Jewish people closer to God,” he said. “I’ve always felt that the foundation of Judaism is a person’s communication with God, Torah, Israel, and the community. With the Torahs kept behind a parohet, there was always a barrier between the individual and the Torah, only to be opened at certain times. The Torah is what inspires us to learn and to perform mitzvot, so it should be revealed at all times.”
The Jerusalem stone adds another dimension. Bloom, who came to the congregation in 2005, previously lived in Israel for nine years. He wanted to share the memory of the pale gold of the stones of the holy city.
Congregation president Dr. Yona Shulman said she was delighted that so many young families were involved in the dedication. She said the congregation is thriving, with a number of young families becoming more involved, and the renewal of the sanctuary reflects that vitality.
As for the Picards, they are delighted with the new ark. “We feel very lucky to be part of this community, and we wanted to do something for the synagogue and for Rabbi Bloom. He brings such passion to what he does. When the rabbi told us what he had in mind, we just said, ‘You’ve got it.’”
When the congregants trooped in that Friday night, Debra said, “It was thrilling. People had goosebumps on goosebumps.”
Emily Woolley, who had her bat mitzva ceremony soon after the installation, sang more beautifully than ever before, Debra Picard said. “Her mother, Jodie, asked her how come. She said it was because she felt inspired by the new ark.”
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