OUR ARON KODESH

THE ARON KODESH—THE HOLY ARK

Etz Hayim’s Aron Kodesh was commissioned by Connie and Rabbi Louis Rieser z"l in honor of the 50th anniversary of Connie’s parents, Marcia z”l and Sam Goldstein z"l.  The Ark was designed by sculptor Michael Singer whose work is shown around the world. 

The Aron Kodesh is designed around the theme of 10, a magic number in Jewish life that is also echoed in the design of our sanctuary.  According to various traditions there are 10 names of God, the world was created by 10 utterances of God, and the core of the Torah, the 10 commandments, were presented to Moses by God at Mt. Sinai.  The 10 panels on the front of the ark represent these traditions and remind us that the Divine Presence is always with us. 

The Ark is made of bass wood, displaying a white façade broken only by the copper stripe.  A Kabbalistic tradition teaches that the world is never perfect, but remains in need of perfecting.  As we are God’s partners in the work of Creation, so the copper band reminds us of our task to join efforts with the Holy Blessing One to improve the world in every way we can.

This Aron Kodesh was first presented to Etz Hayim synagogue in 2001 as a portable ark, so it could be moved on and off the Bima we shared with the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.  It has moved now to Etz Hayim’s permanent home. 

~Jill Pelunis, Etz Hayim historian