My Father, My Teacher, My Gabbai
Synagogue: Aram Naharayim
Location: Holon, Israel
Challenge: Update a 50-year old synagogues’ interior with a fresh vibe, all the while preserving its unique flavor.
I received a phone call one fine summer day from an Israeli Gabbai. He explained to me that his Aron Kodesh is exquisitely designed and engraved,
“But it’s curved,” he pointed out, somewhat apologetically.
There really was no need to apologize.
The minute I received the e-mails with photos of the Aram Naharayim Shul of Holon, Israel, I knew that we were about to embark on a fascinating new project.
Here are the photos that Yossi E. sent me:
Can you find the 8 menorahs in this photo?
Even before Yossi and I met in my Bnei Brak office, my mind started racing with thoughts and ideas. If you take a close look at the photos, you’ll notice a common challenge that interior decorators face when ‘updating an interior’- mismatched wall décor/furniture. What do I mean? The Aram Naharayim shul was built in the 50s, the colorful windows were added in the 70s, the menorah-shaped chandeliers in the 80s, and the Aron Kodesh was designed by renowned synagogue furniture firm ‘Finish’ at the turn of the 21st century. What kind of a parochet design could possibly ‘bring the room together’, respectfully acknowledging the disparate design themes, all the while adding a new, modern touch?
I forgot to mention that Yossi told me the average Bar Mitzvah year of the congregants was 1950… Yossi very much desired to create a fresh, new, youthful vibe in the shul his late father, the Gabbai, had established and cared for for nearly half a century.
Mr. Binyamin Eini- Gabbai, Artist, Father
Yossi spared no time when he sat down in the comfortable chair in my office and immediately began describing the incredible man his late father was. Mr. Binyamin Eini a”h, had recently passed away, leaving behind an incredible legacy that his children- headed by Yossi, the only son- wished to commemorate on a parochet.
When Binyamin arrived in Israel as a young child, he knew he would like to one day be involved in a synagogue. Indeed, when he was but in his twenties, he established the Iraqi Aram Naharayim shul in Holon, which he put his heart and soul into. He was a builder by trade, but the artist in him made its appearance on many occasions.
What do you think of this wedding cake he made for his daughter’s wedding?
And when Shimon Peres was in need of some encouragement, Binyamin single-handedly baked and designed this cake for him:
Yossi became serious and told me about his father’s encounter with the female doctor who broke the dreaded news of his deathly illness to him:
“My father was such an amazing person. He noticed that the doctor was expecting started asking HER how she felt, when the baby was due, etc. Instead of focusing on his own personal trajedy, he transcended himself and expressed concern for her and her soon-to-be-born baby.
That was my father. He was so humble, yet so meticulous about details.
Original design- a transparent Shivat HaMinim Parochet
Take the Aron Kodesh, for instance. He insisted on the most extravagantly engraved Aron by the one of the top Aron Kodesh producers- Pini Lahiani of ‘Finish’. Honestly, the doors are so ornate that it never occurred to us to add a parochet. But now that my father has passed away, Rav Itzchak Yosef shlit”a, told us that it is our duty to add a parochet. And that’s why I’m here today.”
I was not only blown away by the inspirational portrait Yossi had painted me of his father- I was impressed by the Eini family’s Emunat Chachamim and their willingness to comply with their Rabbi’s directives.
“What do you think of a transparent parochet?” I asked. “We can embroider a delicate design on sheer drapery material.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” Yossi replied.
The next time we met, Yossi arrived, accompanied by his mother and sister.
They decided that an opaque material would be more practical for the eldery congregants. I also suggested this lovely Shivat HaMinim parochet that truly flows with the olives and grapes on the Aron Kodesh. (Instead of focusing on the Aron Kodesh’s ‘Mekomot Kedoshim’ theme, I chose to enhance the secondary Shivat HaMinim theme in the parochet). The Oval-shaped thin borders on the Aron are also repeated in the parochet. And the all-important Iraqi symbol- the menorah- found its place of honor on the top section of the parochet.
The ‘outlines’ Shivat HaMinim, in vibrant colors, add a festive, modern touch to the parochet, and to the entire synagogue’s vibe.
And what about Mr. Eini? How was he commemorated?
Yossi suggested this beautiful passuk from Yaakov Avinu (the Forefather Jacob’s) blessing to his son Binyamin, “UleBinyamin Amar Yedid Hashem…”
It was clear to all of Mr. Eini’s acquaintances that he was a very traditional man, with clear no-nonsense Jewish values.
Two days before the ‘Azkara’ (one year since Mr. Eini’s passing), the Eini family scheduled a Yom Limud in the shul- a full morning to evening day of Torah lectures. They asked me to come with the parochet that morning and surprise the congregants.
Boy, were they ever surprised! Yossi took one look at the sparkly parochet hanging in the Aron Kodesh and immediately took me upstairs.
“I want you to design a parochet and bima cover for our upstairs minyan as well.”
Here are some photos of the minyan. I’ll keep you posted on updates for the new set here.
I think the biggest, most emotional surprise, was actually one that I prepared for the grieving Eini family.
During the many phone calls, meeting and e-mails back and forth, I really felt like I got to know Mr. Binyamin Eini and was quite inspired by his talents, humility and dedication to his synagogue. Here are a few photos of the Memory booklet I prepared for the Eini family. They burst out crying the second they saw it and felt like it truly did pay homage to their dear father/husband.
While I was busy hugging the women in the family, Yossi made a mad dash for the local Eini bakery (yes, there is a family connection) and returned with 15 cakes for me to take home for Shabbat.
My kids insisted that I only work with such customers every time- the cakes were delicious!