For the Community | Amy Reichert Judaica

Chuppah: Central Synagogue

Admin — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 19:34:44 +0000

Commissioned by Central Synagogue
Aluminum, Wood, Polyester,

Outdoor Camp Ark: Camp Harlam

Admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:46:48 +0000

Recently installed, this joyful ark echoes the colors of the camp’s various age divisions. Its rainbow palette reflects colored light onto the gravel setting of the tent-like outdoor shelter, a much-beloved symbol of the camp. A soft glow of color can be seen from through the translucent back of the ark box.

Commissioned by Camp Harlam, Kunkletown, PA
Colored acrylic, mahogany, and aluminum

Sukkah

Admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 01:59:07 +0000

This sukkah departs from the typical post and beam construction and instead is made up of interlocking panels. This “house of cards” reflects the fragile condition we find ourselves in when we dwell in the sukkah.

At night, it acts as a lantern in the landscape, with light penetrating the perforated wood panels. During the day, dappled sunlight plays on the interior. The perforations are in the form of the four species associated with the holiday: citron, willow, palm, and myrtle.

The panels can be put together in any order to reflect the local conditions.

Marine-grade plywood panels, cedar beams
8’w x 10’l x 9’ h

Living History: Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 21:22:56 +0000

Congregation Rodeph Sholom, New York City

Torah OrnamentsHoly Blossom Temple

Admin — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 08:24:52 +0000

While the biblical source of the Torah shield describes the 12 tribes of Israel as precious stones, this shield depicts the Jewish people as 12 budding branches. This reflects the values of the temple, whose name refers to the beautiful Talmudic image of scholars as blossoms.

Rather than dangling awkwardly as the Torah is paraded around the synagogue, the yad here is integrated into the shield. The user of the yad, the Torah reader, stands for each member of the community, so the place for the yad is within the blossoming trees of the shield. Prior to reading, the yad is “plucked” from among the trees, and fits comfortably within the reader’s hand.

Sterling silver, 13″ h x 12″ w
Commissioned for the 150th anniversary of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto

Lifelong Learning Center: Park Avenue Synagogue

Admin — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 17:50:27 +0000

Amy Reichert Architecture and Design was part of the design team for this gut renovation of a school in New York City, which opened October 15, 2017. Our scope included space planning, consulting with clergy and education staff, design development, art installations, liturgical furniture, mezzuzot, and donor and wayfinding signage systems.

Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City
Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center

Lobby Art Installation: Park Avenue Synagogue

Admin — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 17:37:51 +0000

Amy Reichert Architecture and Design created an art installation based on passages from “Ahava Rabah”. The layered content was developed with PAS clergy to reflect the values of the congregation.

Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City
Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center

Torah Crowns:Holy Blossom Temple

Admin — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 16:14:20 +0000

Traditionally, torah crowns (rimmonim) parallel the alternating bells and pomegranates on the hem of Aaron’s priestly robe. The motif of the hollow bell and the bursting pomegranate can be seen to represent two states of mind, one of selflessness and one of confidence, that are necessary when approaching the Divine.

These rimmonim express this empty-full relationship. The interior of the left one is hung with silver bells, the right with pomegranate seeds of polished and etched crystals. The free hanging of these two make slightly different sounds, reminding us of the two states of consciousness experienced by Aaron as he entered the holy of holies.

Sterling silver + Czech crystal beads, 10”h x 4” dia
Commissioned for the 150th anniversary of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto

Ner Tamid:Minyan Ma’at

Admin — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 16:24:22 +0000

This eternal lamp is inspired by the idea of light representing the divine presence–perceptible, yet unknowable in form and origin. Here, the light source is hidden within the branches; one sees only reflections on the hammered brass column. The lamp speaks to our condition of experiencing divine light only through its reflection in our own world.

The olive branches forming the outside screen of the lamp recall the Biblical source of oil for the lamp. When hanging in front of the ark, the branches also remind us of the image of the Torah as a “tree of life.”

Polished and oil rubbed brass, 12” h x 12”w x 6” d
Commissioned by Minyan Ma’at Congregation, NY

Bimah Furniture: Sutton Place Synagogue

Admin — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 23:12:38 +0000