Temple Am David lives Hiddur Mitzvah

“Hiddur mitzvah” is defined as taking an ordinary object used for ritual or worship, and beautifying it, thereby creating something more than utilitarian. For example, one can make Kiddush with a drinking glass; but to create instead an ornate silver cup, is to practice hiddur mitzvah.

“And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8) and the verse from which hiddur mitzvah derives, “This is my God and I shall glorify him” (Exodus 15:2) are commandments that the members of Temple Am David have taken to heart since the congregation was founded in 1954. From its beginning as Temple Beth Am to its present identity as Temple Am David, the generations of this Warwick congregation have been uniquely involved in the building and ornamentation of their house of worship, exemplifying the performance of hiddur mitzvah.

Almost all of the interior decorations and ritual objects were either fashioned by, or donated by, different congregants over the years since the building was completed in 1960. The late Ben Wiatrak, a past president of the Congregation and an architect, offered his help in advising the firm that had been hired to do the work. Joseph Schwartz, a jeweler and silversmith, designed, fabricated, and donated the Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) that still hangs in the sanctuary, as well as the Hebrew letters that grace the ark, the menorah, and two of the Torah breastplates. Norma Sherman created and donated the Tree of Life in the lobby, where each donation is marked by an engraved leaf. When the congregation later merged with Beth David, an addition was built and remodeling took place, resulting in what is now the small chapel, the large sanctuary, and the social hall. The ark in the chapel was handmade by the late Sam Stayman. As member Lee Lerner, who became a Bar Mitzvah and was married there said of those early years “When people needed something, they put out a request, and God bless them, they [the original members] made things happen.”

That spirit continues with the present generation of congregants. Albert Resnick, a woodworker, created Hebrew letters spelling out “Am David” over the main sanctuary entrance. More recently, a portable ark was built by current member Barry Forman, with a parokhet (curtain) made by Paula Goldberg. Covers for the Reader’s Table and the other tables on the bimah were fabricated by an anonymous congregant in honor of Rabbi Perlman’s installation in 2012, and matching Torah binders were later made by the same hands. Still other congregants contribute to hiddur mitzvah by landscaping the grounds around the Temple and mowing the grass.

Members have also participated vicariously in hiddur mitzvah, by hiring someone else to create an object, and then donating it to the temple. The first Torah scroll was donated by the families of Haskell Wallik and Melvin Blazer, and others followed over the years. Dr. Sid Goldstein, a long time member, donated a pair of rimmonim in memory of his mother, Bella.

Needlework and photography by members such as Myra Blank and Mary Zisserson grace the walls, along with other originals donated by grateful artists.

Hiddur mitzvah not only includes adorning ritual objects, but in its wider meaning can include enhancing the observance of holidays and non-tangible religious acts. For example, Sena Yamuder and her husband Izzy, of Izzy’s Catering, provided many congregational break fasts. As President Arnie Moses remembers, they donated everything – “food, linens, they just made it happen.”  Mrs. Yamuder also created the dramatic “Shin” sculpture in the lobby, which memorializes the late Steven Shatz.

Lerner has made his own contribution to the hiddur mitzvah, by building children’s carnival games that help enhance the mitzvah of rejoicing at Purim. Paintings of Esther and Haman were added by congregant Maude Weiser.

Finally, if hiddur mitzvah is expanded to also include acts of “tikkun olam,” rebuilding the world, temple members contribute on a large scale. Rabbi Richard Perlman speaks fondly of his congregation, “I am always moved to pride when I am attending a community meeting and I am told of how many Am David members answer the call – any call, be it at the Chester Full Plate, or other food distribution locations – and many, many more projects that our membership takes part in to do tikkun olam. Temple Am David members ‘get it’ and understand what they need to do to help others.”

From ornamenting a ritual object, to repairing the world, hiddur mitzvah beautifies our lives, and Temple Am David’s active participation in all forms of this mitzvah is evident and enduring.

NAOMI GELLER LIPSKY is a member of Temple Am David, and a Judaic artist and President of the Soci-ety of Gilders. Contact her via www.lipskyart.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of a series about Hiddur Mitzvah (enhancement or beautification of the divine commandment). In appreciation of Hiddur Mitzvah, The Jewish Voice will highlight Judaica collections and treasures in our synagogues and museums throughout the state.