About Us

Art of Our Holy Place

Harry and Rose Samson Sanctuary

Congregation Shalom, a sanctuary of peace, bids you a welcome of peace. May our sanctuary be a house of prayer for all people.

The Harry and Rose Samson sanctuary is our home for worship. The sanctuary is enhanced with the artwork of Suzi Derzon, our artist in residence. The Harry and Rose Samson sanctuary, dedicated in 1991-92, is a source of spiritual and artistic elegance. You can view images of and learn about the following related to our sanctuary:

The "Tree of Life"

The faceted glass window on the bima wall represents the Tree of Life, which is reflective of the prayer Etz Chayyim he l'maazeekim bah – It is a Tree of Life to those who cling steadfastly to it. At the top of the tree are the Ten Commandments, the basic principles of Jewish ethics.

 

The Ceiling

The ceiling of the Harry and Rose Samson Sanctuary is fashioned in the shape of a menorah. The centerpiece of the menorah is the skylight that allows us to gaze heavenward toward the firmament, created on the second day of creation. The theme of the menorah, a source of light and enlightenment, is also displayed within the faceted glass window intertwined with the Tree of Life.

 

The Inscriptions on the Wall

Two statements carved in bronze letters flank the Ark. The inscription on the wall to the left is from the Talmud and reads "Know before Whom you Stand." The inscription on the wall to the right is from the Book of Exodus: "Make for me a sanctuary and I shall dwell among you."

The total number of letters that comprise the two inscriptions is thirty-six, a number that has long enjoyed spiritual significance because it is twice "Chai," which means "Life." Thirty-six also represents the legend of the 36 righteous people who live in the world at any given time, and by their integrity sustain the world.

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The "Ten Commandment" Windows

You may not have noticed if you haven't turned around recently in the Harry and Rose Samson Sanctuary that the ten clear glass windows in the western dome have been replaced by ten beautiful works of art. These "Ten Commandment" Windows have been beautifully designed and executed by our resident artist, Suzi Derzon. From right to left the windows are symbolized in Hebrew. Below are the thought-provoking descriptions from the artist herself.

“The circle represents a perfect form to me. No beginning and no end. That is why I visualized G-d and His commandments in this format. The first four commandments all complete circles acknowledging G-d's perfection and man's relationship to G-d. In the other six commandment windows each rondel has been altered in some way to imply man's relationship to man (or woman)."

	I am the Lord your G-d. The rondel is surrounded by gold and 36 prisms. 36 for twice life and 36 just people born to each generation.  Four of the prisms are tinged with a rose color for the four corners of the earth.  The lines surrounding the roundel radiate out to encompass all.  I chose the color purple for its reference to the meaning of royalty.
	Thou shalt have no other G-d before me. One G-d. This blue circle represents the sea "from which all life commenced, the sea resembles the sky and the sky resembles the throne of glory" as it is written in Ezekiel 1:26. "And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone." The crystal circle surrounding the circle is to represent One G-d unity.
	Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain. This commandment is most difficult to explain. My interpretation is that we should not involve G-d in a lie. If we swear in G-d's name we not only diminish ourselves but G-d as well. A lie is a shattering and destructive statement, hence, the shattered background. The circle is more opaque or polluted because to misuse his name is to dishonor Him.
	Remember the Sabbath and Keep it Holy. The Sabbath circle is at rest in a rectangle. I wanted to convey stability calmness, a time to rest and renew. The choice of a wispy glass alludes to a sense of mysticism a day of blessing, a beautiful gift.
	Honor Thy Father and Mother. The circle wears a crown to honor the mother and father. The curved lines on each side represent male and female coming together in union. The small dark spot left of center represents the seed or nucleus for the next generation. The color gold symbolizes the most precious metal.
	Thous shalt not murder. The circle is torn never to be repaired, the tear is echoed throughout the background. The color is the color of bloodshed.
	Thous shalt not commit Adultery. The circle is deliberately cut in half, separating the union. The rays that extend from the circle draw energy from it and cannot align again and be complete.
	Thou shalt not Steal. Portions of the circle are gone. When we steal, we diminish ourselves as well as G-d.
	Thou shalt not bear false witness. The circle is shattered destroying wholeness. Deceit creates fissures and cracks that keep on going. Like commandment number 3, lies are words that wound deeply.
	Thou shalt not covet. We each have our portions, some more some less. To want that which is not yours drains and leaches our strength and gives us no peace. The lines that ebb and flow from the circle drain the lifeblood away.

"I started collecting the rondels years ago, long before this project was conceived. It was a natural extension (for reasons mentioned above) to use these beautiful pieces of glass as the symbols I was looking for. Often I find a predestination that my work was meant to be. At night I envisioned the windows to be like jewels in a crown, from the outside. During the day with G-d's light they are a constant reminder of His gifts and ethical precepts. If the windows are good, it is because G-d wanted them to be good."

Suzi Derzon, Designer

Suzi Derzon, sculptor and designer and member of Shalom, designed the Tree of Life window in the Harry and Rose Samson Sanctuary, as well as much of the other art that surrounds worshippers at Congregation Shalom. She works in bronze, glass, needlework, ceramics, neon, and other media. As she worked on the sanctuary, she constantly thought of the sun, light and shadow, and air -- all gifts of God. She felt the colored-faceted glass "Tree of Life"--full of blues, purples, greens, yellows, and oranges was the best background, both spiritually and aesthetically, for the Ark.

The Ark forms the "trunk" for the Tree of Life, and the wooden branches stretch upward, entwined in the six branches of the menorah, to join the menorah of the ceiling. After designing the window, Suzi turned her attention to the bima and the feel of the hall. The idea of a prayer shawl, a tallit, to wrap the entire congregation in the warmth of communal worship became the narrow gold stripes and the fringe behind the bima.

She and Rabbi Shapiro selected the inscriptions for the wall after much careful thought and discussion. Only after the phrases were selected did they realize that there were 36 letters--twice Chai (Life) and the number of righteous people in the world at any one time. Suzi Derzon also designed the Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) over the Ark, the weekly Yahrtzeit Plaque on the back wall of the sanctuary, and a bronze burning bush located in the William and Fannie Kesselman Family Chapel foyer.

In the William and Fannie Kesselman Family Chapel, she designed the holiday tapestries that were on the bema chairs and are now framed in David Klurfeld Hall  and the inside doors of the Ark.

She has also created designs for other Milwaukee synagogues, the Jewish Home, and various other customers.

Cooley Family Garden

The newest addition to the Shalom building and grounds is the Cooley Family Garden near the administrative entrance. The garden named in honor of the Cooley family in 2006 by Laurance and Barbara Newman offers a open and fresh look to the administrative entrance. A minimalist design approach was taken and the garden offers a peaceful place to sit and reflect.

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Eder Family Education Wing

Dedicated in 1991-92, the Eder Family Education Wing houses the offices of the Director of Life-Long Learning and our Religious and Hebrew School.  It contains 20 classrooms and the Richard Morris Youth Lounge.  Donated by the Ralph and Louise Eder family in honor of their children and grandchildren, it is the center of Jewish education for all ages. The Eder Family Education Wing is housed in the Rabbi Harry B. Pastor School Building.

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William and Fannie Kesselman Family Chapel

The William and Fannie Kesselman Family Chapel named in 1997, is now what was the front of Shalom's original sanctuary. It was updated and remodeled in 2000 and is now a small gathering place in which numerous life cycle services and daily minyan are held.

One of the highlights of the chapel is a faceted glass window depicting the famous Biblical story of Jacob's dream. The window was given in memory of Lt. John L. Abrams, U.S.N. by founding members Florence and Iz Abrahms.

At one time eight chairs sat on the bima, celebrating the major Jewish holidays and the Sabbath. Each chair's back is a tapestry symbolizing the holiday, designed by Shalom's Artist in Residence, Suzi Derzon and stitched by members of the congregation in 1978. Currently each of those tapestries are framed and hung in the David Klurfeld Reception Hall.

In addition, the insides of the doors to the Ark are tapestries also designed by Suzi Derzon and stitched by members of the congregation portraying the Lion of Judah.

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Richard Morris Youth Lounge

In the early 1980's the Morris Family dedicated the Richard Morris Youth Lounge in blessed memory of Richard. The Morris Youth Lounge is used for various group meetings and events for a wide range of temple committees and community members. Our religious school utilizes this room for teaching and learning, our Bagels, Books, and Babies class gathers and our youth groups convene in this warm meeting space in the lower level of the building. This resource room, housed in the Eder Family Education Wing, was updated with help from the Sisterhood in 2000.

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Nash Family Administrative Wing

The Nash Administrative Wing is the cornerstone of our building. It too was dedicated in 1991-92 as part of the major expansion project.  It was donated by Harold and Tourraine Nash and David and Abigail Nash in honor of their families. Housed in this wing are the administrative offices, including Cantor Karen Berman’s study, the Executive Director, Marc Cohen’s office, and the Assistant Administrator Abby Habush Schroeder's office.  It also contains a beautiful bride's room, robbing room, choir room and board room.  

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Sherman Pastor Memorial Library

Also in the Nash Administrative Wing is the Sherman Pastor Memorial Library. It is named in memory of our founding Rabbi, Harry B. Pastor's son, Sherman.  Our library, run by librarian Elaine Friedman, houses a large collection of Judaica and variety of Jewish literature for all ages. The library also house the archives collection of Congregation Shalom, including the Leo Kissel Music Collection.  Stop in and relax with some great Jewish reading!

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Morris and Naomi Pivar Foyer

Added in 1991-92 as part of a major construction and remodeling project, the Morris and Naomi Pivar Foyer was created from the front lawn of the original building.  The original lannon stone wall was the corner stone of the building from 1954 and now an integral part of the new addition. Hanging on these walls, are our specially designed donor panels created and made by Suzi Derzon, that honor the generosity of our donors that help to ensure Shalom's future while honoring their families and family members. Some of the symbols on these panels represent the Trees of Life and Knowledge, the Seven Species, and the Gates of heaven.

On the east curved wall, six stained glass panels hang representing the six days of creation. This space is used for a variety of temple activities, school functions, and life cycle events. Our weekly Friday evening and Saturday morning Kiddush are held in Pivar as well.

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Ungar-Schick Portico

The Ungar-Schick Portico located at the synagogue main entrance allows congregants and guests to drive up and drop off guests under cover from the elements. The new addition to Shalom, was donated to us by the generosity of George and Bunny Kennedy in honor of their families. The portico was completed in June of 2006.

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Wein Garden Chapel

The Wein Garden Chapel is located at the south end of the property and was built in winter of 2004 and dedicated in summer of 2005.  Donated by Fred and Linda Wein, we use this chapel for our summer worship services which are held outdoors, weather permitting, from middle of May through mid September.

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