Maavar
Support for Synagogues in Transition
Contact info@synagoguecouncil.org for info and inquiries.
Maavar offers a suite of services to congregations that are closing, merging, expanding, or facing other major changes. Our first and notable success was in finding homes for the sacred objects from Congregation Tifereth Israel in Revere, especially the classic carved 1916 Ark that was newly dedicated on December 2 in the Beit Midrash Chapel at Shir Tikva, Wayland.
Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe, Brighton
Hundred-year-old traditional carved wooden Aron Kodesh (holy ark) is being offered by Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe in Brighton, which cannot use it in its new building. The ark came from Torah Moshe’s original home in Roxbury and is typical of arks of that period. The same ark was used in many local congregations, often for their second sanctuary, or minyan, space, and probably came from a catalogue. The gold and white paint is not, of course, original, and probably could be stripped off to restore the ark to its original beauty. If you might provide a home for this ark, please contact Tamar King at (617) 787-5569 or 617 331-4599, or the Synagogue Council office.
Montefiore Synagogue, Lowell
Montefiore Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Lowell and is closing after more than a century. Founded in 1896 as Montefiore Brotherhood Synagogue, the present congregation is the result of a merger with another turn-of-the-century congregation, Anshe Sfard. The new combined congregation moved into a new building in 1971, accounting for the remarkably coordinated and modern design of its sacred space. Especially striking are the beautifully carved arks and surrounds and the use of mosaic.
The furnishings below are available as a package, for a new or remodeling congregation, or on an item-by-item basis.
If you are interested in any of Montefiore’s items, please call Colleen at 978-204-8188
Mosaic
Ark (Main Sanctuary)
Ner Tamid
Sanctuary Surrounds to Ark
Tallis Stand
Mechitza Dividers
Reading Tables
Torah Stand
Wall Art
Small Ark
Menorah
Congregation Beth Israel, Worcester
Available immediately. Wooden ark available. Has interior shelves and Torah fittings. From Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester, which is renovating its sanctuary.
Contact: Deborah Fins <dlfins@finseldercare.com>
Wooden Ark
91” wide, 111” high and 18” deep
Has interior shelves and Torah fittings
Temple Beth Am, Randolph
Temple Beth Am, Randolph has moved to a new home in Canton.
Items are available immediately for pickup by arrangement.
Contact: Natalie Weinberg, NJWTeach@aol.com.
Display case for Holocaust Torah
or other important scroll
It is 109 inches high and 5 feet wide.
It opens from the back, and has brackets for
holding a torah up and open.
Menorah
They cannot take this beautiful brass menorah with them.
It is 37 inches across at its widest point, and 51 inches from the lower tip to the top of the middle candle.
Lectern (No Picture) with Large Star of David
42 inches high, 32 inches deep, 20 inches wide plus two fold-down of one foot each
Torah Stand
Signs of Our Past
A number of years ago Rabbi Michael Strassfeld began collecting signs from synagogues and other Jewish institutions that are closing. These signs reflect the story of American Jewry over the past 100 years. They range from lists of members in study groups to proper synagogue etiquette to matters related to money. It is a preservation project because most of these signs would end up in a dumpster. In the last few years Rabbi Strassfeld has found signs from Quincy, Springfield and Revere. The biggest challenge is finding out about synagogue's closing. Please let Rabbi Michael Strassfeld know if you hear of any Jewish institutions closing at
mjstrassfeld@gmail.com.
Temple Kol Tikvah, Sharon
Torah (for sale)
The height of the scroll is 24" with approx 3" margin.
Please contact Rabbi Randy Kafka, rkafka613@gmail.com.