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TEMPLE BETH EL Charlotte, North Carolina Design for Chapel Stained Glass June 6, 2009 |
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Design Description |
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| The dark lines in the design, above represent the window muntins, which divide the opening into smaller panels. The main Star of David is defined by these window muntins, which will be about 3" wide, on the face. The stained glass design consists of a series of concentric, larger and smaller, Stars of David, as well as a series of concentric circles. There is also the twelve smaller circles, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. And the chain of eighteen circles, whose design is inspired by the decoration on the existing Chapel ark. At the very center of the composition is the Hebrew passage, Veahavtah, l'rayacha, kamocha, i.e. Love thy neighbor as thyself,the single irreducible principle of Torah. Further out, in a ring around the center, are written, in English, the Ten Obligations without measure, and, further from the center, still, are the 613 black and white squares, representing, the 613 mitzvot or the whole Torah. The gems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, represented by the twelve small circles, are interesting, in that, if you look closely at them, you will discover that one gem is black and white, one white and blue, one red white and blue; one is even yellow and green. One is a rainbow and so forth. Its subtle, but the idea is that the twelve tribes of Israel encompasses everyone, all humanity. This is the ultimate statement of inclusiveness. | |||
Thie Star of David, defining the building as a Jewish synagogue, will be visible to visitors in cars, approaching, from below. As the viewer approaches, more detail of the concentric elements and the radial symmetry, will be visible. But the true content and detail of the composition will only be seen from the inside of the chapel. The Chapel stained glass is the earthly end of the spiritual axis of the building. Therefore, the theme of the chapel stained glass focuses on the actions one can and should perform in this world, basically, following the laws of the Torah. Even so, the four letters which make up the name of God are arranged in a square, at the center of the composition, surrounding the inscription, in Hebrew, Veahavtah, l'rayacha, kamocha. |
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| The modern rendering of the union of fire and water (the alchemical interpretation of the six pointed star) which makes up the background of the composition creates a contrast with the symmetrical masses of the building and also, makes the window modern and the whole message, one of dynamic energy. In addition, the interior of the Chapel, in the morning, will be bathed in the red and blue light streaming in through the window. | |||
