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New temple rises in city
By
Myles Murphy
The new synagogue for the Temple Emek Shalom has more space, more light, and will soon be overflowing with sanctity and warmth as the congregation moves in. "There have been a lot of sacred things that have happened in the old space," Rabbi Marc Sirinsky said. "But it is people who bring the sacred with them."
The new synagogue at 1800 E. Main Street is all but complete, and services will begin Saturday at the fresh building. "This is the first synagogue built from the ground up from Sacramento to Eugene," Temple President Ron Silverman said. "The architect has done a beautiful job." The $3 million project - designed by Medford architect Ken Ogden - is the result of 10 months of construction, 5 years of intensive planning, huge amounts of local support, and a 30-year dream. "There's been a lot of thought that has gone into this," Sirinsky said. "It is a coming of age not only for the synagogue, but for the people of this community." Members of the temple labored through the day Sunday moving furniture and various items from the old building on the corner of East Main Street and Mountain Avenue to the new synagogue. Also helping in the move were members of the Southern Oregon University Raiders football team, which had been rented by the temple for the move as part of an SOU charity auction. "Some strong backs were important," Silverman said. "It was a great win-win opportunity." Founded in 1973, the Temple Emek Shalom is Southern Oregon's oldest Jewish congregation. In the early days, members met in loaned spaces from other Ashland churches or in people's homes. In 1983, the temple found a home in a 7,600-square-foot building at the corner of Mountain Avenue and East Main. As the number of members grew, however, greater attendance and more events began to put a strain on the small building and parking area. "The number of events we have is way beyond what that building could handle," Silverman said. "We truly didn't have enough space in that synagogue." The temple now serves 185 families, and the new 15,000-square-foot building should be able to accommodate new growth for quite some time. "When most synagogues move into a new space, it can attract new members," Sirinsky said. "But this space is going to hold us for many years." Adroit Construction broke ground for the new temple March 18, 2002. Medford-based Ken Ogden of Ogden Kistler & Associates was the architect, and KenCairn Environmental Design acted as landscape architect. Ogden's design was based on the input and wishes gleaned from the congregation over a four-year planning period. "The majority of our members took part in some phase of getting it built," Silverman said. "The building of this temple touches a lot of people." The new facility has two wings linked by a lobby and gathering space. On one side is the sanctuary, the social hall and the kitchen, and on the other are the classrooms, library, chapel, and the administrative offices. Large outdoor spaces have been created as part of the temple design committee's attempt to link architecturally the inside of the building with the outside. "We wanted to bring the outside in and the inside out," Silverman said. "On this property we have done it." Two artists specializing in Judaica have fashioned major features of the new synagogue, according to Silverman. Plachte-Zuieback Art Glass, of Santa Rosa, Calif., created two large stained glass windows that are prominently displayed at the east end of the sanctuary. "The two stained-glass windows have the themes peace and healing," Sirinsky said. "Those are the sacred themes of this community." Eugene-based Pomegraphics provided the design for six carved doors leading into the sanctuary and social hall spaces. The doors were carved to represent some of the major themes of Judaism, including a desire to repair the world and make a place of wholeness inside the temple and out. "It's really our hope that people who enter those doors will find a sense of peace," Sirinsky said. "It's more than a building. What we try to do is create a spiritual space." The success of the building after such a long process has been inspiring for both Sirinsky and Silverman. "This is a real model in making dreams come true," Sirinsky said. "We hope this inspires other people to pursue their own dreams." The congregation will dedicate the new building at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with an open house to be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the same day. "It isn't a closed temple," Silverman added. "Even after it's been dedicated, people can stop by and see it." In addition to the dedication, the temple is planning a year of celebration and has scheduled 12 monthly events ranging from Auction 2003 slated for March 8, to performances by "Mary Poppins" composer Richard Sherman, Los Angeles cantors Herschel and Judy Fox, and local artists including Leona and Doug Mitchell, Beth Baker, Ray Porter, Leslie Kendall, and the Hamazons.
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