Furnishings
Fixtures
The original chandeliers were gas. The chandeliers were adapted for electricity in the late 1880s. These modern reproductions are to look like the previous gas versions with the electric adaptation. After the fire, we found the original gas pipe within roof that fed the original gas fixtures.
In the late 1800's, a popular thought was that air flow helped prevent tuberculosis. The building was originally equipped with a vent at the top of the building. We restored to a new exhaust fan and replicated the vent that was originally at the top of the roof, including the green glass globe, since the previous one was removed decades earlier.
The building had a single wood stove to heat the sanctuary. This modern reproduction shows an example of what likely would be there. The vent pipe went up to a brick flue and out the chimney.
Furniture
The pews at St. George Episcopal Church looked much like the ones seen in the 1894 photo of the Temple Israel interior and were possibly made by the same manufacturer at that time. We custom made these pews based on a similar design as shown in the old photo. In addition, we only made half the number of pews that were originally in the building to allow room for a museum in the back half of the building.
The company that made this pump organ, United States Organ of Cleveland, Ohio, existed in the 1880s. While this organ is not the original one in this building, it is historically appropriate for the date range of this restoration. This working pump organ was donated by Bob and Connie Primus.
Judaica
These stars of David return the distinction that makes this building a synagogue despite the appearance of a church. While digging for French drains around the perimeter of the building, we found one of the original stars in the ground. The new stars on the building were only about an inch off in size from the original ones!
Round windows were originally on each gable end of the building. At the ark end of the building was likely a stained glass star of David, which we replicated in a slightly more modern style. With this wall now being a fire wall separating the restored building from the new addition on the back, we have artifical lights shining on this stained glass. The stained glass was designed and donated by Edward, Carolin, and Gretchen Koplin.
This new Bimah is very similar to the one originally in the building.
This new Ark is designed after an old German Ark found in a synagogue in Denver.
This Torah was donated to the Foundation by Jacob and Valerie Ever. We understand it to be an old Polish Torah, circa 1900, and probably a Holocaust orphan.
This seven branch Menorah is the standard Menorah found in a Synagogue and is the historic identification of the Jews. The nine branch Menorah is used for Hanukkah to remember the eight days of the oil lamps burning.
This Ner Tamid was donated by David Cohen and is polished pewter of an old German design. We hung the Ner Tamid with an old Victorian hook.