Eldridge Street Synagogue Has New Stained-Glass Window

Yesterday afternoon was the public unveiling of the new stained-glass window at the Eldridge Street Synagogue. An open house, as it were.  The sanctioned arwork is the final piece in the decades-old restoration of the historic landmark.

Between the hours of 11 am and 4 pm yesterday, a constant stream of people descended upon the breathtaking sanctuary for a glimpse of the glass. But the hundred-or-so souls who came at noon were treated to a roundtable discussion involving four key individuals involved in the project – artisans Tom Garcia and Patrick Baldoni, construction manager Terry Higgins, and glass fabricator Linda Ross.  After a brief slideshow, the panelists held a Q and A session with the audience.

The window itself was designed by artists Kiki Smith and Deborah Gans. Since the museum had no visual record of the original stained-glass which shattered in the 1940s, the artists had a bit more creative license. The massive cosmic orb hovers above the ark, and resembles a constellation map with its spiraling grid of wavy lines and yellow stars. And in the center, a giant glass Star of David. In total, the new installation reportedly weighs in excess of 6,000 lbs, and includes over 1,000 intricate glass pieces.