Our New Torah Covers

This article appeared in the Hebrew Watchman newspaper on October 12, 2000.

The Torah covers, or mantles, were created by Ina Golub, one of the most prolific
designers of Torah covers today. Ms. Golub lives in New Jersey and has a
Master's in Arts for a teachers degree in crafts from Indiana University. She
has maintained a studio since 1965 where she specializes in handcrafted fiber
art. Her work deals mostly with Jewish themes and represents a marriage of
traditional Jewish symbolism with a contemporary approach. She has a particular
fascination with the effects of light and of Hebrew letters. You can see how the
silver breastplates glisten so brilliantly against the backdrop of the textured
gray. Her textiles contain an abstract quality by carefully juxtaposing color
and texture. The striking colors at the border of the mantle, coordinated with
the colors of our tapestry, are all the more pronounced when contrasted with the
textured gray. She has won numerous awards for her work and has designed over
500 Torah Mantles.

The theme for our seven Torah mantles conceived in collaboration with Rabbi
Finkelstein, is the seven Kabbalistic emanations, manifestations of G-d. Each
Torah mantle contains one of the words symbolizing a particular manifestation
of G-d. The seven words are 1) Hesed, Lovingkindness, 2) Gevurah, Power, 3)
Tiferet, Splendor, 4) Netzach, Eternality, 5) Hod, Glory, 6) Yesod, Foundation,
and 7) Malchut, Kingship. The imaginative designs invoke these mysterious
concepts. We often refer to these manifestations of G-d being particularly
present in our 7 patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aharon, Joseph, and
David. The theme of G-d's manifestation is already found on our Parochet, our
beautiful tapestry on the Holy Ark which speaks of G-d's promise to reveal
Himself to Moses.

The colors and designs of the covers are meant to match and complement the
design of our Ark's tapestry. The mantles skillfully combine the texture of
silk, chenille, and ultrasuede, together with many embellishments to produce a
rich and complex design. The glory of the work will further enhance the
esthetics of our magnificent sanctuary and will make the opening of the ark a
real event. Hopefully, this great beauty will inspire a sense of reverence, awe,
and love for G-d, Judaism, and the Torah itself.

Thanks to the decor committee, headed by Judy Levin, including Bob Bernatsky,
Myrna Cohen, Michelle and Iris Harkavy, Debby Lazarov, and Lynn Susser, for
working with the artist and seeing this process through to create such amazing
Torah mantles.

Dedications are available at $5,000 for dedication to a family, in honor of a loved one
or in memory of a loved one.

To visit Ms. Golub's website, click on www.inagolub.com.