L'Shanah Tova!
09/14/2023 05:05:22 PM
L’Shanah Tova!
This past Tuesday, the remarkable craftsman from Stanton Studios in Waco began and completed the installation of our new ner tamid (eternal flame). In the days immediately following the fire, as we processed what had been done to us, an idea was born: “how do we turn this tragedy into a sign of strength, defiance, that we will NOT be snuffed out?” Fast forward two years and 11 months…
It was by chance that the installation and our choir’s Rosh Hashanah dress rehearsal overlapped with one another. As the artists worked, placing the 5th or 6th piece of glass into the light, we were rehearsing shehecheyanu. We moved through the liturgy, Tiku Vachodesh Shofar, R’tzei, Shalom Rav and then, Avinu malkeinu, in front of the scaffolding that the artists were using for the installation.
Around 9:30, the work was done. We turned on the lights inside the flame and turned off the lights in the room. We, Rabbi Levy, Laura Corman, a few choir members, Ben Heimsath, our architect, and the Stanton family were awash with the glow of our history. The menorahs (that have been rewired) from our original synagogue building, the cleaned and restored three sections of the stain glass windows from over the doors - an addition to our sanctuary on Shoal Creek in 1968 (estimated), and now, this remarkable piece of artwork that mixes old, broken pieces of glass from the fire with new. A remarkable symbol of where we stand today. Strong, resolute, and continuing to live active Jewish lives at 3901 Shoal Creek Boulevard.
While our Transitional Worship Space is physically complete it is now ready to be filled with YOU, our members. We cannot wait to greet you during our Holiday season as you bring your hearts and souls along with your voices into this beautiful space to participate in the act of communal prayer whether you have a ticket and are joining us in person OR you are taking advantage of the live stream to join us from the comfort of your home.
Finally, a huge note of thanks to everyone on our temple staff and volunteers who make this time of year possible. If you are moving about our spaces in person, please remember to be kind and understanding as we all get used to our new normal. Give yourself lots of time to maneuver parking, both before and after services, or hey, just take an Uber! I also invite you to share words of gratitude to all those working hard to keep us safe. It is a lot of hours in the sun/rain/heat/mosquitos, and they deserve our support.
L’shanah tova um’tukah! – May you enjoy a sweet new year!
