Temple Israel is delighted to be able to hold services and other activities in our own home, dedicated in 2003.
Caretaker's home and The Stable
Summer Services and BBQs are held in our back yard.
This lovely beech tree is 150 years old. Former owners moved this tree to this site when it was 100 years old!
Our Torah from the Westminster Trust
Our Torah was one of 1,564 Torahs from Czechoslovakia rescued by the Westminster Synagogue Trust in London, England. We use it with great reverence for its history and for its continued reminder that Am Yisrael Chai , the People of Israel continue to live by exercising our precious right to worship and study together.
We don't know much about the origins of our particular scroll from the Westminster Trust, but here are some interesting histories of some of the other scrolls from the Westminster Trust:
In this photo, the Torah rests upon the Lectern, a reading table made by one of our members. This photo was taken at Selihot, a time for prayer and study in preparation for the High Holy Days. The white Torah cover at the right side of the photo is about to replace the coloured Torah cover used through most of the year. The Shofar, a ram's horn used during the High Holy Days, is at the left.
Our Torah from Beth Israel, Stratford, Ontario
The Torah is dressed in an embroidered cloth cover. The Yad, a pointer shaped like a hand, is used to follow the text while reading. The breastplate is another decorative item. The text on the breastplate comes from the Torah service. It says "It is a Tree of Life to those who hold fast to it."
Ner Tamid, Ark, Parochet, and Lectern
Ner Tamid , the Eternal Light represents God's presence
The Aron Kodesh, ark is a shelter for our Torahs. It was made by one of our members.
The Parochet , curtain that covers the Torahs in the Ark, was made by Ailene Wittstein.
The Lectern was designed and built by two of our members. It can also be seen in the photo of our Holocaust Torah, above.
Parochet from synagogue in Stratford, Ontario
Stained Glass
Our stained glass windows came from a synagogue in Indiana. This detail represents the Ten Commandments.
A floral element
Stained glass based upon Temple Israel's logo.
Magen David, the Star of David
Mezuzot
A mezuzah is placed on the doorpost of every Jewish home and building such as synagogues and community centres. The outer covering is simply a decorative container. It reminds us of the text inside. The essense of a mezuzah is a piece of parchment which holds text from the Torah that says the following:
Deuteronomy, 6:4-9: Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources. And these things that I command you today shall be upon your heart. And you shall teach them to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you go on the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your arm and they shall be an ornament between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy, 11:13-21: And it will be that if you hearken to my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord, your God, and to serve him with all your hearts and all your souls. And I will place rain for your land in its proper time, the early and the late rains, that you may gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil. And I will provide grass in your field for your cattle, and you will eat and you will be satisfied. Watch yourselves, lest your heart be seduced and you turn astray and serve other gods, and prostrate yourselves to them. And the wrath of God will be upon you, and he will restrain the heaven and there will be no rain, and the ground will not yield its produce, and you will be lost quickly from upon the good land that God gives you. And you shall place these words of mine on your hearts and on your souls, and you shall bind them as a sign upon your arms and they shall be ornaments between your eyes. And you shall teach them to your children to discuss them, when you sit in your house and when you go on the way, and when you lie down and when rise up. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates, in order to prolong your days and the days of your children upon the good land that God swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of Heaven over earth.
Mezuzah - Front Door Mezuzah - Side Door
Mezuzot - Classrooms (some were made by our Religious School students)
Ritual Objects
Shofar (ram's horn) used on the High Holy Days
The Havdalah Set (wine cup, braided candle holder, spice box) are used at the end of Shabbat and Holidays.
Art
This hat represents the city of Jerusalem. It was designed by a London artist. Donated by a member in honour of her children.
At first this mobile seems to have no organized shape, but when it rotates in the wind, you can catch a glimpse of the Star of David. It is a reminder that opportunities for holiness are all around, but sometimes it takes a while to recognize them. Donated by a member.
This wall hanging says "And Sarah Laughed". It was made by the mother of a Bat Mitzvah in honour of her Torah portion.
The Brownstone Scupltures bronze casts of scuptures by TI member Ellen Brownstone, donated in her memory
Temple Israel's NEW SIGN
Send mail to webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Temple Israel is delighted to be able to hold services and other activities in our own home, dedicated in 2003.
We use it with great reverence for its history and for its continued reminder that Am Yisrael Chai , the People of Israel continue to live by exercising our precious right to worship and study together.
This detail represents the Ten Commandments.
Stained glass based upon Temple Israel's logo.
The Havdalah Set (wine cup, braided candle holder, spice box) are used at the end of Shabbat and Holidays.
