UNDER THE DOME — BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Congregation Sherith Israel has been a sanctuary for Jewish life in San Francisco for more than 150 years. This year, 2004, is the centennial anniversary of our building at 2266 California Street.
We are planning many musical events including organ, choir and cantorial concerts, a lecture series highlighting our architectural and ritual history, children's programs and more. All programs are open to the public. If you would like to be on our mailing list for programs please email ndrapin@sherithisrael.org or call 346-1720 Ext 17 and leave your name and address.
The Great Quake Erases History
To look at our Sanctuary building today is to bear witness to the miracle that followed the Great Quake of April 18, 1906 when the fires that destroyed much of San Francisco were stopped at Van Ness Avenue. When the smoke lifted, our Sherith Israel sanctuary was one of the few buildings left standing with enough room to accommodate the San Francicsco Hall of Justice. It was in our building that the famous government corruption trials of Mayor Eugene Schnitz and political boss Abe Reuff were tried during the next two years. So, too, was the Sanctuary used by the government in 1945, when a founding session of the United Nations was held here. Our records show us that San Francisco has always looked to Sherith Israel as a place of security and sanctity. In addition, while many historical records were lost in the great fire that consumed the city, Sherith Israel records were preserved. Today, our archives, many of which are housed at the Western Jewish History Center of the Judah L. Magnes Museum, are preserved for future generations.
Our beginnings are almost impossible for us to imagine. When Gold Fever hit, fifty thousand people descended upon a fishing village of a few hundred — and with them came some of the first Jews to journey out West. Mostly of German and Polish descent, these early settlers struggled to live as Jews in a strange land.
Yearning for a community of their own, the first formal group of worshippers was established. The High Holy Days came in September. Newspapers from that time describe the efforts prominent Jews made to find a gathering place. With no synagogues, rabbis or Torah scrolls to be found, a tent was finally rented for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Three of the men agreed to do the readings and by all accounts, the first services were a success. Afterwards, the little group spoke of finding a permanent home, but it was two years later that the discussion continued.
Leaders of this fledgling community gather ideas and opinions from every element of Jewish San Francisco. The minutes of these meetings tell of the discussion, arguments and even fisticuffs that followed. The Reform movement in America was only in its infancy then and the lines that separate Jewish practices often blurred. Yet, despite the drama, and the despite the fact that Jews of San Francisco would never again pray under one roof, the original goal was reached. When the first day of Passover arrived on April 6, 1861, the legislature of the new State of California had issued a charter in the name of Sherith Israel - truly a "Remnant of Israel".
In the years that followed, thousands of Jews have called Sherith Israel their spiritual home. The congregation's first semi-permanent structure was destroyed by the Great Fire of June 1851. The next site on Kearny Street was also later consumed by fire. In 1854, the cornerstone of Sherith Israel's first permanent synagogue was laid on Stockton Street, between Broadway and Vallejo and cost $10,000. In 1870, a larger, Gothic Structure was built for $70,000 and dedicated at Post and Taylor. These buildings no longer exist, but as you walk through the Hall of History at Sherith Israel, the past comes to life in the images that have been preserved.
From a Makeshift Tent to a Majestic Sanctuary
On September 8, 1902, the present site at California and Webster streets was purchased on the recommendation of President Charles Harris and on the 15th of the same month, Mr. Albert Pissis, FAIA (1852-1914), a prominent San Francisco architect trained in Paris, at L'Ecole de Beaux Arts, was selected as architect. Pissis' work included over 25 major buildings, including but not limited to the Stanford Medical Library, Little Sisters of the Poor, the Hibernia Bank Building, the Flood Building and the Emporium.
Pissis was known for his neoclassical style, then popular, and his clients were such wealthy and respected San Franciscans as Emil Sutro. In the late 1880's he met Philip Lillienthal of the famous family, through whom the Catholic architect began to develop a connection with San Franciscans influential in the Jewish community. This link with the Jewish business elite played a role in his being chosen as the architect for Sherith Israel.
On July 20, 1903 plans were submitted and adopted. Contracts were completed on October 7, 1903. On October 8, 1903, at 9:30 am, ground was broken by the officers of the Congregation.
The cornerstone of our present sanctuary building was laid on February 22, 1904. The cost of the California Street structure was $250,000. Our cornerstone holds a box with many historic artifacts including newspapers dating from 1854, an historical sketch of the Congregation written by AL. Badt, secretary of the Board in 1904; original bylaws of congregation Emanu-El, Ohabai Shalone, Beth Israel, Kennsseth Israel, Chevra B'nai Jacob, Benai Abraham; history of Congregation Shaari Zedek, bylaws and report of the Eureka Benevolent Association and First Hebrew Benevolent Society; our Shabbat and Mourner's services, the ByLaws and report of the Hebrew Home of Aged and Disabled, historial sketch of the Jewish Educational Society; U.S., Egyptian and Japanese coins and many other objects of historical significance.
Although the actual drawings and records of the original building construction were destroyed because City Hall was burned in the fire following the earthquake, the building has been conserved in close to its original construction and form, with the Temple House, now Newman Hall, added in the 1940s.
The Romanesque style building stands over 120 feet above California Street. The dome is over 60' wide at its exterior diameter and stands over 373 feet high (66 feet higher than city hall). The interior of the multi-level structure contains over 20,000 square feet of space (Newman Hall has 16,000 square feet additional space). The Sanctuary building, while undergoing numerous improvements between 1937 and 1996, has been preserved closed to its original construction and form. The most recent work has included a major structural and architectural upgrade of the dome and the temple house renovation to its present design as Newman Hall.
Beauty and History Inside
Synagogue architecture throughout history has been characterized not by a specific architectural style, but rather by the functions of Jewish liturgy and proactively incorporated into buildings reflect the vernacular of popular styles of the communities in which they were erected. In the turn of the century San Francisco, the Gothic style displayed in the earlier building erected by our Sherith Israel congregation was fashionable, while the newer structure, erected on California Street, was influenced by the local "Spanish revival" vernacular as well as by the neoclassical designs of contemporary German synagogues. Austere on the exterior, Sherith Israel is warm, and highly decorative within. The sanctuary has a main floor and a u-shaped gallery seating area. There are 1400 permanent seats.
Stained Glass Windows
Stained glass windows are not traditionally used in Jewish structures. However, there is no prohibition against using them, and the congregation and architect incorporated them into the design of this building.
In recent years, our stained glass windows have been studied by different historians. We have learned that the type of opalescent glass that is used in these windows is unusual, and difficult to work with. In addition, our archives revealed that our sanctuary actually houses a piece of California's art history that has never before been known. The large Moses window on the west side of the sanctuary and seven other windows were designed by Emile Pissis, brother of the architect, who was known to have painted scenes of Yosemite. The great half-circle window, entitled "Moses Presented the Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel", shows Moses bringing the Ten Commandments down from the mount. However, as a tie to the pioneer history of our great state, Moses actually is descending from Half Dome. Two of our congregants, Joan Libman and Ian Berke, tied the painters' history and the history of our building together when an invoice for $1100, made out to Emile Pissis, was discovered in our archives. The execution of the stained glass designs were done by artisans brought here from overseas. There are 30 windows in the sanctuary and several others in various other parts of the building.
A traditional Rose window faces the front of the building, and a magnificent window dedicated to the mitzvah of Tikun Olam or "Repairing the World" frames the east side of the building with the inspiring words from the Prophet Isaiah, "Feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless".
Murray Harris Organ
The organ is one of the most important and distinguished historic treasures of American organ building. It stands alone as the finest remaining example of the work of the Murray M. Harris Co. and, 100 years later, is still in perfect working order and in its original condition. The only change that has been made on this instrument is that, in 1913, the batteries of Layden jars that powered the organ were replaced with a generator. The organ was maintained by the Schoenstein family for 75 years and our organ is noted in Lois Schoenstein's book " Memoirs of a San Francisco Organ Builder" as "the rock of Gibralter".
Behind the organ's magnificent facade, is a gigantic mechanism that supports and controls over 3,500 pipes that vary in length from 6 inches to 16 feet. The organ contains over 15,000 board feet of choice white pine and hardwoods, and over 50 miles of electrical wire, 5 tons of metal and enough leather to make 10,000 pairs of fine lady's kid gloves. The keys and stops are made of pure ivory and the decorating of the pipes and the carving of the elaborate console was done by hand. The most unusual mechanical feature of the instrument is its electrical action that uses the principals of telephone signals to control thousands of completed valves which operate the pipes. This electrical action is made possible by the first Echo Organ in San Francisco, which is located in a special chamber high in the dome of the temple. Anyone who has heard the sound of this organ knows that it is both romantic and ethereal at the same time.
Interior Painting and Woodwork
The interior décor of the sanctuary building shows a strong Sephardic influence. Retaining much of the tradition of the old world, its exquisite woodwork of Honduran mahagony was expertly carved by master craftsman and grace the ark and pews with fine details. The pews are original, as is the carpeting and the cushions.
When entering the sanctuary, you are immediately struck by the beauty of the light filtering through the windows and by the vibrant, warm colors and intricate fresco-like painting on the walls and dome. When the dome was strengthened, we learned the formula for many of the colors in areas that had to be repainted.
Symbols and inscriptions in Hebrew are painted throughout the sanctuary. Hebrew inscriptions on either side of the alter are the two main benedictions in Judaism. Beginning directly above the Ark and proceeding easterly on the ring of the dome are painted 12 symbols of Judaism: the Ten Commandments, Sabbath Menorah, Shofar, Torah, Lulav, Etenal Light, Megaillah, Chanukah Menorah, Column representing the first First Temple, Washing of Hands, and a priestly breastplate with the 12 tribes of Israel.
Ritual Objects
Judaic ceremonial art has been used in the lifecycle and holiday ceremonies performed in the home and synagogue. They served to enhance the worship of God through hiddur mitzvah - the adornment of mitzvot, so that God could be worshiped in the beauty of holiness. The Ner Tamid or Eternal Light, which reminds us of God's constant presence is always in front of the ark. There are three different 7 branched menorahs in the sanctuary; of particular note are the hanging menorahs on each side of the choir loft which are fueled by gas. Initially, the entire temple was lit by gas, but was converted to electricity by the 20's. There are 1,109 light bulbs that frame the balcony seating areas and arches. Sherith Israel has 10 Torah Scrolls. The oldest Torah came from Germany, where it had been taken and apart and buried, and then put together again and given to Sherith Israel in honor of Rabbi Morris Goldstein, who served from 1932-1972. A small Sephardic Torah has a round hard case and is located in the Chapel ark. It was from Cairo, Egypt and is dated 1938. In 2000, the congregation engaged a sofer or scribe to make a new Torah to commemorate the 150th anniversary of our congregation as a community. This modern Torah was purchased through many individual donations of congregants who bought the books, phrases or words until the entire Torah was completed.
The Chapel
The chapel was rebuilt in 1949. In the Chapel is the original Holy Ark of the synagogue from the 1970 synagogue building on Post and Taylor. It also has another set of stained glass windows which are dramatically back-lit. The Chapel organ was built in 1893 and the key and stop action is entirely mechanical. This organ was donated by Mr. Donald Levy and dedicated to the memory of his parents.
Our sanctuary building serves as a monument to Judaism in our nation and throughout the world. It links the past to our future. The physical building was created and paid for by emigrants from many countries, built by craftsmen from around the world, honored by Jewish spiritual leaders of different influences and played a significant role in local and international politics. The building and our congregation are intertwined. Generations of San Franciscans have worshipped, studied and celebrated under our majestic dome since 1904. The children of our congregants have met and been married by our rabbis and cantors. They have brought their children to be bar and bat mitzvahed on our bimah. From within our meeting rooms, congregants have initiated social action programs that feed the greater San Francisco population and education programs that offer the wider community a venue for literature, arts and politics. Throughout the years, the sanctuary walls have heard the voices of hundreds of thousands of Jewish people lifting their voices on Rosh Hashanah and on Friday and Saturday Shabbat services to join the chorus of Jews around the world.
Congregation Sherith Israel is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism, with 750 active families who represent the diversity and values of the Greater Bay Area Jewish community and continue the pioneer spirit of the many generations who settled the West.
For more information about our upcoming programs or membership please contact Nancy Drapin, Executive Director, 415-346-1720 Ext 30, or ndrapin@sherithisrael.org.