by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

September 9, 2008

Temple Rodeph Torah in Marlboro is nearing completion of its new bima, capping an effort that began in 2001 and that has raised $250,000 to cover the cost of the project.

Planners say a Sept. 12 dedication ceremony will be a celebration of a project that will bring congregants closer — literally and spiritually.

The new bima is lower than the former five-foot-high stage and is handicapped-accessible. A new arch created of Jerusalem limestone forms the backdrop, while a lectern with a glass surface will help erase any sense of remoteness between congregation and religious leader.

An eternal light, created by Minnesota artist Claude Reidell, will be suspended from the arch directly over a new ark.

Congregants are being encouraged to bring copies of prayers to the dedication ceremony, said Rabbi Donald Weber, the Reform temple’s religious leader. The slips of paper will be inserted into the limestone arch and will remain there permanently.

“The use of Jerusalem limestone shows our connection with Israel,” Weber said. “Putting prayers or private thoughts into the limestone reminds us of the sacred Wall in Jerusalem. We are creating a beautiful sanctuary that will be filled with prayer.”

Aside from the eternal light, all aspects of the new bima were designed and created by temple members (the construction elements were done by Woodward Construction of Matawan).

Congregation president Irwin Kizel of Manalapan is the project architect; Shelly Grainer of Marlboro, a space planning consultant, is responsible for the interior design; artist Nina Grossman of Jackson created the design on the interior door panels of the new ark; and Karen Goldstein of Howell chaired the Kulanu (all of us together) fund-raising committee.

“Seats in the first third of the sanctuary will be designed in a semicircle around the new bima,” said Kizel, whose firm, Jarmel Kizel Architects, is located in Livingston. “This will create a sense that the rabbi is enveloped in the same ‘community’ as the members of the temple.”

The design on the new ark’s interior door panels, which are nine feet high (the doors of the former ark were 12 feet), depict the theme of “l’dor v’dor” (from generation to generation), said Grossman, who did all the sculpture and painting on the bronze-like panels. The design depicts a mother teaching her daughter to light the Shabbat candles, a bride and groom, and a man sounding the shofar. Olive branches adorn the border of each panel and grapevines connect the scenes, she said.

“The grapevines are symbols of fertility, and they represent the themes of continuation and the passing of traditions to future generations,” said the artist.

The cherubs at the top of each panel are particularly significant, she said.

“God commanded Moses to build an ark that showed angels whose wings pointed to the center,” said Grossman. “At the center is where you speak to God.”

Congregants of Rodeph Torah, which has 365 member families, donated money and volunteered to assist with the actual installation, including an upgraded sound system with audio aids for those who are hearing-impaired, said Goldstein.

“The members of this temple gave their money, time, and energy to this magnificent effort,” she said. “They gave everything they had to give, and they were never discouraged by any challenge that arose. Everyone here is a very real part of this.”

For Grainer, it’s been an emotional experience to watch the project move toward completion.

“It’s definitely been emotional to see everything take shape,” she said. “But I have a feeling that the congregation will be happy with the results. I think a sense of warmth and peace will prevail in the new sanctuary.”

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