These pictures simply highlight the main features of our building.
The unveiling of "Star of David," a bronze sculpture, took place in front of the synagogue on June 8, 2000, following the Shavuot dairy potluck, which began at 6:30 p.m.
This 4' tall sculpture, which stands on a 4' base, was created by Jacques Schnier (1898-1988), a prominent California sculptor, whose career spanned more than 60 years. Schnier was born in Constanta, Rumania and immigrated to the United States at age three, living in the San Francisco Bay area his entire life. He graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and became a full-time sculptor several years later in the mid-1920's. He joined the faculty at the University of California at Berkeley in 1936 and retired in 1966, as its first full professor of sculpture. Some of his sculptures are at Berkeley (CA) High School; the Congressional Club in Washington, D.C.; Judah L. Magnes Museum, Berkeley; Temple Emanu-El, San Francisco; Hebrew University, Jerusalem; Mills College, Oakland (CA); the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.; the Oakland Museum; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. In 1939 he designed the commemorative U.S. half-dollar for the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Schnier was also a lay psychoanalyst in San Francisco and corresponded with Sigmund Freud and Freud's biographer, Earnest Jones.
On her last visit to Anchorage before her death in 1998, Schnier's widow, Dorothy, helped select the sculpture's placement in front of the synagogue. The sculpture and plants to complete the surrounding landscape were donated by the Schnier family--Claudio Schnier of Florence, Italy, Rebecca Schnier of San Francisco, California, and stepson Max Gruenberg of Anchorage. Several of Schnier's works from the Gruenberg/Epstein collection will also be on display at the Temple.
Star Sculpture
Northern Lights Windows
John Dobbs used colors from the northern lights to create a stained glass window of Bereishit, Creation. This window looks out over woods where moose, rabbits, and bald eagles have been sighted. The sun is often low to the horizon producing a beautiful and unique light not frequently seen in the Lower 48.
Our Bima
Our Arc contains three Torahs on permanent loan:
1) the Beylis Torah - Ike Beylis was a founder of Anchorage and on the first city assembly. He founded the Anchorage Times which he sold to Bob Atwood which is now in the Daily News as the Voice of the Times. He left his Torah scroll to the "Jewish Community of Alaska" and his executor, Bob Atwood, gave it to CBS.
2) The Salad family Torah. The Salad family is from Chicago and through the good graces of Art Goldberg's family sent the Torah.
3) The third is the Holocaust Scroll described on the wall of the sanctuary.
In addition to our Torahs, the Arc also contains a collection of preserved etrogs, one from every Sukkot celebration over the years.
Library
We have over 1000 books (many newly published), the Jewish Heritage Video Collection, and an active Book Club that meets monthly.
School Entrance
Our educational program is strong. We host our weekly Sunday school, Shabbat Torah study, monthly book club, and other adult educational opportunities
