[Stained Glass Windows, Beth-El Congregation, Briarhaven Rd. Synagogue]

Description

Partial presentation containing labeled slides that showcase the stained-glass windows on the interior of the Beth-El synagogue in Fort Worth, Texas. The images include the stained-glass windows and views of the chapel and sanctuary; in order, the slide images are: [2] the Chapel (interior), [3] close-up of the three stained-glass windows in the Chapel, [4] Hall of Remembrance, [5] main sanctuary (interior), [6] close-up of sanctuary front (interior) and stained glass, [7] close-up of the stained-glass window depicting a shofar, [8] close-up of the stained-glass window depicting a burning bush, and [9] close-up of the stained-glass window depicting the tree … continued below

Physical Description

8 p. : col. ill.

Creation Information

Beth El Congregation (Fort Worth, Tex.) 2000.

Context

This presentation is part of the collection entitled: Rescuing Texas History, 2010 and was provided by the Fort Worth Jewish Archives to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. It has been viewed 572 times. More information about this presentation can be viewed below.

Who

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Architect

Artisan

  • McClure, Tim McClure took these photographs and designed and crafted the stained glass windows.

Sculptor

  • Klass, David Bronze "Tree of Life" on wall, Hall of Remembrance

Provided By

Fort Worth Jewish Archives

A program of the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the Archives is part of the mission to unite and strengthen the Jewish community in Texas and ensure its well-being and continuity.

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Description

Partial presentation containing labeled slides that showcase the stained-glass windows on the interior of the Beth-El synagogue in Fort Worth, Texas. The images include the stained-glass windows and views of the chapel and sanctuary; in order, the slide images are: [2] the Chapel (interior), [3] close-up of the three stained-glass windows in the Chapel, [4] Hall of Remembrance, [5] main sanctuary (interior), [6] close-up of sanctuary front (interior) and stained glass, [7] close-up of the stained-glass window depicting a shofar, [8] close-up of the stained-glass window depicting a burning bush, and [9] close-up of the stained-glass window depicting the tree of life.

Physical Description

8 p. : col. ill.

Notes

Additional background about the synagogue and symbolism of images:
The synagogue is located at 4900 Briarhaven Rd., Fort Worth, Texas and was designed by David Sanford. The main sanctuary seats 600, facing toward Jerusalem (east); the Chapel seats 150 but the north wall can be raised to extend the main sanctuary into the Chapel. The Chapel is asymmetrical, narrowing toward the ark and stained-glass windows.

There are two groupings of stained-glass windows pictured; all windows were designed and constructed by Tim McClure. The three images in the Chapel illustrate a Talmudic proverb from "Pirkay Avot" (Sayings of the Fathers) which says, "The world rests on three things:Torah, Work, and Deeds of Loving Kindness" and the variation "The world rests on three things, truth, justice, and peace." Each of the three windows depicts the first proverb at the bottom and the variation at the top.

The three panels in the main sanctuary were made from 6,000 pieces of antique European hand-blown glass; there are 45 colors and no two pieces are the same shape. The left panel depicts the shofar of freedom (a ram's horn sounded at the high holidays that usher in the Jewish New Year). The center panel depicts the burning bush (or light of creation) which is a metaphor for the knowledge in the Torah. The right panel depicts a tree of life, a metaphor for the knowledge and lessons in the Torah.

The Hall of Remembrance is a mini-museum with objects from the congregation's history. There are 12 stained-glass windows with elements removed from the previous building which depict the 12 Tribes of Israel. The ark was also removed from the old building and has a cremo-Italian marble frame, Art Deco gate, and eternal light. The Tree of Life sculpture on the wall to the right was designed in 1984 by David Klass.

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Collections

This presentation is part of the following collection of related materials.

Rescuing Texas History, 2010

Rescuing Texas History, 2010 is comprised of photographs, postcards, maps, letters, yearbooks, and other materials that reflect on bygone eras of Texas history.

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Creation Date

  • 2000

Covered Time Period

Coverage Date

Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Oct. 11, 2011, 4:13 p.m.

Description Last Updated

  • Nov. 6, 2018, 2:15 p.m.

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Beth El Congregation (Fort Worth, Tex.). [Stained Glass Windows, Beth-El Congregation, Briarhaven Rd. Synagogue], presentation, 2000; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth188552/: accessed October 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Worth Jewish Archives.

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