We are excited to bring you up to date on work that has taken place at Temple Shaari Emeth over the last couple of months. As previously shared, a Design Committee was formed several months ago to consider improvements to the building and to incorporate TRT sacred items where possible. A portion of the funds acquired from the merger were set aside to accomplish this, along with additional TSE reserve funds. The committee has been working with Mark Levin of Levin-Brown Associates, architectural and design experts for synagogues.
Work was completed this week on two exciting projects: construction of a wall at the back of the social hall that will act as the new rear wall of the sanctuary as well as a place to install our tree of life; and installation of an interactive tablet to enhance the memorial wall and provide a better way to highlight weekly Yahrzeits.
In addition to these projects, the merger of Temple Shaari Emeth and Temple Rodeph Torah was officially approved by the State of New Jersey earlier this week: We are officially one congregation!
NEW BACK OF THE SANCTUARY: Construction was completed this week on the wall at the rear of the social hall. The wall creates a new back of the sanctuary, on which a tree of life will be installed that incorporates simcha plaques from both TRT and TSE. The Design Committee will be working with our architect and designers in the coming weeks to create something that honors the legacy of both temples.
MEMORIAL WALL: Current Yahrzeits will now be displayed digitally. The interactive Memorial will preserve the dignity and emotion of traditional Yahrzeit designs while incorporating new features and innovations that will carry us into the next generation and beyond. The memorial plaques that were previously in the middle section of the wall were relocated to empty spots. In the coming weeks we will share information about how to submit biographical information and photos as part of a virtual plaque.
Be on the lookout for updates and information on future projects as they come to fruition. These projects will include new flooring, walls, an expanded lobby, and more. We hope you that join us in our excitement as we work to preserve our shared history while enhancing and improving our building for future generations. The Design Committee
