Show STANDARD-EXAMINE- SATURDAY OCTOBER 6 1990 R Synagogue destroyed by fire reopens Tragedy brings congregation closer together By MARY LOU PHIPPEN Standard-Examine- r Members of Congregation Brith Sholem feel a closeness now that binds them together more than ever It is a closeness that comes to people when they face adversity together and overcome it Dec 30 1989 marked the beginning of that adversity when vandals set fire to the synagogue which according to Dr Robert Brodstein congregation secretary caused the membership i great despair plus feelings of anger that anyone could or would violate their place of worship “Initially we all felt sort of numb but when members of the community began calling and of-fering support we knew we could go on and of course the first thing we did was to form a committee” Brodstein said with a smile “The amazing thing” he said “was the four members on the committee were just the sort of people we needed for the restoration work “Cindy Tachman is an interi- or designer with an interest and much experience in histone renovation Jeff Schneider is an engineer and did the drawings Steve Haas president of the congregation at that time was in the carpet business and knew many of the contractors and was aware of what needed to be done And Jay Lyon had a real interest in the renovation project” A history of the synagogue says the first Jews arrived in Ogden in the late 1800s and those who stayed in the area formed Congregation Ohab Sholem in 1890 Religious services were held in the IOOF Hall on Grant Ave Congregation Brith Sholem ' Tachman and Jeff Schneider president of the congregation dows The synagogue has reopened after a Dec 30 fire The Ark structure which is located at the front of the Sanctuary in the center and houses the Torah was designed by Tachman and built by Chris Gochnour who also carved the wood detailing er of the windows ‘Initially we all felt sort of numb but when members of the community began calling and offering support we knew we could go on’ — Robert Brodstein congregation secretary was formed in 1916 and their own building at the present location was erected and dedicated in 1921 During the 1980s a new roof was added plus a parking lot and the Herman Rubin Memorial Park But time had taken its toll on the old building The plumbing and electrical wiring were not up to code and had to be upgraded or replaced and added to the damage done by the fire and smoke the whole building had to be redone Brodstein said much of the renovation could not have been accomplished without the donations from individuals and churches of many denominations Part of the project included the five windows in the sanctuary They have been upgraded and made beautiful with stained glass overlays which depict the seasons and Jewish holidays Linda Zeveloff was the design- - thing would be done right” Brodstein said adding “we only had one goal on this rebuilding effort and that was to have it finished in time for Rosh Hash-ona- h — the Jewish new year — and we made it” Rosh Hashon-a- h a period of and prayer began Sept 20 and culminated Sept 29 with Yom Kippur a day of atonement nt Crowning the Ark structure is another stained glass piece also designed by Zeveloff which highlights the eternal light The window nearest the Ark is the Torah window and it has reference to the mitzvot (good deeds) and the first temple Also shown is the menorah of the temple The Torah is represented by a golden seven-branch- ed scroll Projects on the renovation were done with great care “The board said to take all the time that was needed so every Even though the whole rebuilding project was the result of a tragic act there is cause for celebration The congregation now has a beautiful — and up to code — place of worship The community can see for itself the efforts that have taken place on the building An open house is planned from 1 to 5 pm Sunday at 2750 Grant Ave in Ogden Women gather for annual conferencePage 2 |