In 1964 the Temple B'rith Kodesh Synagogue Museum purchased a lovely music stand from Mr. Wendell Castle. It has been used, all these years, as a place to put fliers and information concerning our museum displays. During this time period Mr. Castle has become internationally famous and this iconic piece of functional art is now quite valuable.

The Museum Committee decided to sell the music stand. The stand does not conform to the Museum's mission - it is not a Jewish item used in any ritual nor does it serve a religious purpose. But it is a treasure.

The sale of the music stand allows the museum to raise funds for the creation of cases in the Bobry-Littwitz South Entrance to bring more art to the congregation through the display of some of the museum collection. After soliciting interest and information from Sotheby's and contemporary furniture appraisers (so as to perform our "due diligence") we offered the music stand to the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester. They were delighted to buy the music stand and so it remains in Rochester and is happily in another public domain. TBK's past ownership will be in the curatorial notes for the Castle music stand.

We will begin the process of creating the displays in the Bobry-Littwitz South Entrance immediately. We hope all who enter our beautiful Temple B'rith Kodesh will delight in the enjoyment of our Museum offerings, and that they will help create an awareness of our rich past and prompt more people to visit the Museum. Enjoy!

The TBK Museum Committee would like your help finding information about Dorothy Manson, who worked in Europe for the JDC (Joint Distribution Commission) sometime between 1937 and 1945.

The TBK Museum has some fabulous letters she sent home during these troubled times. Dorothy helped obtain placement for the refugees aboard the ill-fated S.S. St. Louis. You may recall this was the Hamburg ship that was not allowed to dock in Cuba or the U.S. and was sent back to Europe with all their passengers still aboard.

If you can help, please contact Annette Satloff at 586-8218.

Tour the Myron S. & Marcia M. Lewis Menorah Collection with the newly released self-guided audio tour!

Chanukah is approaching, the Festival of Lights. We have a shining star right here at Temple B'rith Kodesh, the Lewis Menorah Collection. 200 menorot (the plural for menorah), diverse and unique, brighten our Ames Amzalak Atrium.

A brand new self-guided audio tour is available to individuals and groups, congregants or visitors. Whether you select the adult or the family version, the tour is packed with information about the collection, the Festival of Chanukah, the menorah through history and the relationship between beautiful ritual objects and Jewish faith and practice.

The audio tour is available whenever the temple office is open or by special arrangement. It is made possible through a generous grant from the Paul B. Dosberg Foundation in memory of General Myron S. Lewis.

A gift of General Myron S. Lewis (of Blessed Memory) and Mrs. Marcia M. Lewis
In memory of
Maurice L. & Mary G. Lewis
Katherine R. Lewis
Meyer M. & Lea B. Miller

Housed in the Ames Amzalak Atrium at Temple B'rith Kodesh

Dedicated Sunday, December 16 2001, this world-class collection helps us appreciate Jewish history and culture as it is expressed throughout the world.

Each menorah has a fascinating story. For example, one was inspired by a work by Salvador Dali, another was hand-crafted for General Lewis by Mary Zuni, a native American silversmith.

The collection was organized and described by museum curator and consultant Candace J. Adelson, Ph.D. Guides are available in the Ames-Amzalak Atrium to assist you as you view the collection.