Olam Tikvah Ark Doors

New Doors for the Aron Kodesh

On Saturday, February 28, 2009 the congregation formally dedicated new doors for the Aron Kodesh, a work of art in bronze, designed and created by David Ascalon of Ascalon Studios, Berlin, New Jersey, and made possible through a grant from Kitty Timmes in memory of her parents, Adela and William Gotkin (z"l).

Attending the Dedication Ceremony with her husband, Jack, and other family members, Kitty described how her parents, Adela and William Gotkin of Silver Spring, Maryland, provided her with a strong educational and spiritual basis for her involvement in Jewish activities. The Gotkins supported their synagogue, Beth Sholom Congregation (originally in Washington and now in Potomac), and the State of Israel in many ways. Kitty said,

The opportunities they provided me to learn and be involved in Jewish activities are the rocks on which my own commitment to Jewish life is based. When I learned of the decision to replace the doors of our Aron Kodesh, I knew that underwriting this wonderful project would be a meaningful way to remember my parents and thank Olam Tikvah for the spiritual and social gifts we have received from membership in the congregation.

The Design

The outside bronze panels of the Aron Kodesh represent the Ten Commandments (Aseret haDibrot), which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are basic tenets of Jewish life and the gateway to the 613 commandments, or mitzvot, that Jews are instructed to follow in dealings with God and humanity. The first two words of each commandment appear in a stylized script. The first five commandments, on the right-hand panel as you face the Aron Kodesh, concern humanity’s relationship with God. The second five commandments, on the left, concern our dealings with each other. The two tablets are equal in importance, as our duties to God and our duties to our fellow human beings are equal in importance. The outside panels are stationary: we see the Ten Commandments at all times. The inside sliding bronze doors are designed to complement the fused glass panels of Minyan.

Origins

Installation of the new Ark Doors, February 2009

Fine Arts Committee Chair Maurine Simon described the origins of the Ark doors:

How does one decide upon memorializing loved ones? In what way would the loved ones wish to be remembered? For Kitty Timmes, the decision became clear when she heard that we would need to replace the Ark doors. Their fabric was frayed and their tracks no longer reparable…. The doors of the Aron Kodesh protect the sacred scrolls and, when it’s time, stand open to reveal and share the precious contents with the community—sort of like parents!

The huge task of replacing the existing, beloved ark doors was upon the Fine Arts Committee. We wanted them to be beautiful and long lasting—hence, the bronze; each piece had to be hand polished to a fine patina. We wanted them to be meaningful and Jewish—hence the Ten Commandments, remaining visible at all times. We wanted them to have design elements compatible with the glass panels of Minyan. And we wanted them to function and work well. Our committee got to work.

After viewing many web sites, visiting several shuls and getting local and out-of-state references, we hired David Ascalon of Ascalon Studios in New Jersey. That was almost two years ago. In that time, the Fine Arts Committee met often, worked many hours, and even traveled to New Jersey. Thanks to the Committee members Ilese Vorcheimer, Brenda Klemow, Malka Benoff, Kitty Timmes, Alice Marion, Mindy Cohen, Karen Tovey, Cheri Belkowitz, Julian Levine (who prepared the dedication pamphlet) and Phyllis Lustig (who donated the fabric for the interior of the Ark); and to Rachelle Palley, who made the sheers and helped in many different ways.