Mosaic in Memory of
Dedicated on March 8, 2008
Cantor Klein and Anna Zucker
History of the Mosaic
Mosaic in Memory of
Dedicated on March 8, 2008
Cantor Klein and Anna Zucker
History of the Mosaic
The Mosaic project was created to enhance the beauty of the Cantor Klein Chapel and in memory of both Cantor Klein and Anna Zucker. It was designed by Michelle Sider and was created by the participants of the L.I.F.E. program and their familes.
Pearlina Bodzin originally conceived the idea of creating a mosaic for the B'nai Moshe Cantor Klein Chapel.
She saw the glass mosaic which was designed by Michelle Sider and created by the students of Akiva Hebrew Day School which is a view of the Second Temple looking as if you are about to ascend the steps. Pearlina then approached Michelle Sider and asked her if she would be interested in creating a glass mosaic for B'nai Moshe. Pearlina indicated that she wanted to create the mosaic in memory of Cantor Klein to enhance the chapel which was named in his memory.
Michelle interviewed Rabbi Elliot Pachter and Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov, the Director of Education, to gather information about Cantor Klein's life and his work at B'nai Moshe.
It was through this information as well as the artist's vision of creating something beautiful in the Cantor Klein Chapel that the design was created (see artist's statement below). The artist painted a few watercolor sketches and then met with the committee responsible for decorating the Synagogue walls. The design and purpose of the piece were discussed and a final painting was created and approved.
Pearlina Bodzin contacted the Zuckers who were enthusiastic about honoring the memory of Marvin's mother Anna Zucker. The artist then interviewed the Zuckers for more information to incorporate into the piece.
Creating the Mosaic
Pearlina Bodzin was the coordinator who made this project flow from beginning to end. Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov, the Director of Education, organized the families and school children set up a schedule for working on the project and sent out the flyers and posters about the project.
"We took everything a step at a time. First we got approval for the design and worked with a builder to make sure that the wall intended for the mosaic would support the significant weight of the piece. We found the original blueprints for the chapel and worked with the builder and the amazing maintanence staff at B'nai Moshe to make sure everything was set for the piece. After some leaks in the windows were fixed the wall was finally ready."Then we needed to find the funds to support the project. Finally, we were ready to schedule the families and children to work on the project. We worked around the holidays and the school schedule to find Sundays that were available. Families signed up to work on the project on five Sunday afternoons. Some people were so enthusiastic about working on the project that they showed up at every opportunity to work on the mosaic. However, there was one Sunday, that hardly anyone showed up and we were really worried that the project would not get done on schedule. Pearlina and Daniella then made some phone calls and we were back on track again.
"The piece was finished and displayed during an absolutely lovely dedication ceremony which occurred on Shabbat, March 8, 2008 after services which honored the memories of Cantor Klein and Anna Zucker and gave thanks to everyone involved in this project."
Photos of the creation of the Mosaic by the participants of the L.I.F.E. program are shown below Michelle Sider's statement.
Artist Michelle Sider's statement
The concepts underlying this mosaic incorporate memory, the Holocaust, Cantor Klein's original melodies, hope and divine inspiration. I wanted to create a mosaic that would not only honor the memory of Cantor Klein, but also feel inspirational to members who viewed it while praying.
I wanted to utilize the natural lighting in the chapel emanating from the high windows above the Aron Kodesh in order visually to express the idea of prayers traveling up to God‘s ear. To partially achieve this, mirror and iridescent glass pieces were used to capture some of this light.
The shape of the mosaic, a seven pointed star, was perfect for many reasons. First, it is a mirror image of the existing star on the Aron Kodesh in the chapel and visually connects the mosaic to the holiness of the Torah in the chapel. Second, the number seven is quite meaningful in our religion and lastly, the points extending upwards help express the idea of reaching up to God.
I used a mirror image as well as actual pieces of mirror in the piece to represent self reflection in relation to our history and learning from our past. It also reflects upon those who were lost in the Holocaust and positive lessons we can glean from their lives. This idea of reflection is also a reminder that we should reflect upon our current behavior and strive towards improvement as we speak to God through our prayers.
I chose dark colors for the bottom of the piece which gradually become lighter, iridescent and reflective of light toward the top as a visual representation of the idea that we can rise from darkness to light through our prayers and actions.
The Hebrew phrase placed at the bottom of the piece reads:
.ותחזינה
עינינו
בשובך
לציון
ברחמים “V te che zey nah / ey ney noo / be shoov cha / letzion / b’ra cha meem.”
“May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in compassion.
.ברוך
אתה
ה׳
המחזיר
שכינתו
לציון
“Baruch / atah / adonai / ha ma cha zeer / she che na to / letzion.”
Blessed are you Hashem, who restores His Presence to Zion.”
This phrase is part of our Shemoneh Esrei prayer in which we pray for our desire to elevate ourselves to be worthy of witnessing the return to Zion.
The Hebrew lettering for this portion of our prayers is placed over the horizontal image of a flowing tallit or prayer shawl. Rising from the wording and the tallit are the actual notes from the beginning of Cantor Klein’s musical piece entitled “V’al Kulam.” During the dedication of this mosaic, Cantor Berris led the congregation in singing this beautiful melody.
As our eyes travel up clockwise, we see a representation of the cities and lives lost in the Holocaust, as a reminder never to forget. Further up is the Torah which unites and guides us toward hope and inspires us toward many things including Tikkun Olam. As you can see, the colors have become lighter, brighter and flow up towards the heavens, representing our prayers traveling up toward God. As we continue on the other side of the piece, the Yartzeit flame signifies our need to remember our past and honor our ancestors. Next we have an image of Jerusalem. This expresses our prayers for the return to Zion and of our continued hope to rebuild ourselves, our people and our nation. Finally the image flows horizontally again representing the continuing cycles of life, and Judaism.
Thank you for this opportunity to experience the wonderful energy at B’nai Moshe, to create art in honor and memory of Cantor Klein and in memory of Anna Zucker as well as the opportunity to express my love of Judaism and God through the medium of glass mosaic.
