STAINED GLASS TOUR

In 1936 the building that now houses the Jewish Museum of Florida was designed and constructed with plain glass windows. When Rabbi Moses Mescheloff joined Beth Jacob Congregation in 1937, he designed an artistic element to the building to create a focus for contemplation for his congregation. The congregation raised the money for the nearly 80 windows which were manufactured by a glass company in Hialeah, FL. Rabbi Mescheloff wanted the windows to have symbols to proclaim the messages graphically of the foundations of Judaism, and to create an environment colorfully enriched with the aspirations of the Jewish people. For more about Rabbi Mescheloff, click this link. Use your browser back button to return The images in the windows symbolize the determination of Jews to share in the creation of a better world and include the signs of the Zodiac that correspond to the Hebrew months, the Jewish holidays, themes from the Ethics of the Fathers (Torah, Temple Service and the practice of charity) and other elements of Judaism. These windows remind the worshipper that there is more than prayer and Torah to make them a good Jew; there must also be action and concern for others. The Star of David, which is shown in many of the windows, is a symbol of Judaism and was the shield of David from the Bible, formed from two triangles representing body and soul.. The recurring pomegranate with its 613 seeds, also on the lower windows, symbolizes the 613 Mitzvot mentioned in the Torah that represent the fulfillment of God's commands.

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