Featured Windows, June 2001
Temple Beth El Window
Building: Temple Beth El
City: Bloomfield Hills
State: Michigan
The Jerusalem Windows
These two windows at the entrance of the DeRoy Sanctuary of Temple Beth El represent the old Jerusalem and the new Jerusalem.
The "Old Jerusalem Window" on the top depicts the western wall of the second temple of Jerusalem. On the left panel of the window, a rabbi blows the shofar, a ram's horn trumpet sounded at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Hebrew word inscribed on the right panel says "Shalom." The window was given by Richard and June Smitt in honor of their children. The "New Jerusalem Window" at the bottom represents the Knesset, Israel's parliament building. The right panel of the window holds a Torah scroll. This window was given in memory of David Emerman by his family. The Star of David is featured on the side panels of both windows. Designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the present home of Temple Beth El was completed in 1973. The Jerusalem Windows, designed by Barry Bernstein of Virtu Studios in Southfield, were installed in 1979. To view other windows at Temple Beth El, visit the Windows of the Month for July 2000. Temple Beth El of Bloomfield Hills was registered in the Michigan Stained Glass Census by Leslie Gowan of Bloomfield Hills.(MSGC 2000.0012)
Text by Betty MacDowell, Michigan Stained Glass Census, June , 2001.