Explore the unique and cherished sacred objects and furnishings in our sanctuary.
Made with love and care by our extended family.
Check out the wonderful stories associated with some of our sacred items, many designed and crafted by members.
Stained glass windows
The stained glass windows were created by Emanuel Genovese, an artist who works in glass. On the eastern wall, there are two separate but integrated themes. The seven slender panels join to form a traditional menorah, representing the seven days of creation. The triangular windows above the menorah evoke a Magen David and visually describe the first day of creation.
On the southern wall, there are 2 larger windows bracketing 6 slender ones. The larger ones depict, respectively, Jacob’s dream and Moses at the Burning Bush. The slender ones depict the three pilgrimage festivals and Jewish celebrative moments.
Torah ark and doors
The Torah Ark, donated from a synagogue in Long Island, NY, was transported in pieces by members. The initial letters of the Ten Commandments on the ark doors and the Magen David below, spell Shalom.
Torah reading table
The Torah Reading Table displays the Torah in an upright position facing the congregation reflective of the Sephardic tradition.
Ner Tamid (Eternal Light)
The Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) consists of the Hebrew letters shin, lamed, vav, and mem, in the form of flames, and reading from right to left, spell shalom.
Decoration over the ark
Mounted above the Ark, the stained glass depicts the Lions of Judah supporting a crowned Ten Commandments.
Holocaust Torah, wimple and display case
In 1968, Congregation Shalom was granted the “permanent loan” of Czech Holocaust Scroll #1184. Donald Pearlman, first president of the Temple, was instrumental in obtaining the scroll from the Westminster Synagogue in London.
The tag mounted in the case with the Torah is inscribed in German, “Altestenrat der Juden in Prag. Zentralmuseum” (Council of the Elders of the Jews in Prague, Central Museum). The tag was attached to the Torah when it arrived in England from Prague.
The wimple was handcrafted by a member and includes the phrase l'dor v'dor – from generation to generation – indicating our members' connection with the Czech community that this scroll came from.
The display case was designed and built by a member to specifically provide a home for this Torah.
We're your Jewish home in the Merrimack Valley. More than our name, Shalom is the warm welcome that begins your journey with us and the peace that sustains it.