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1a David’s Harp
1b Miriam’s Fountain
1c Music to My Ears
1a – David’s Harp
Created in 1983 in Honor of Temple Sinai’s Founding Rabbi, Richard Lehrman
Medium: Metal
Restored 1993, 2012
As we learn from the Book of Psalms, musical instruments have informed prayerful expression and outreach to God since biblical times. The harp, which David played to soothe King Saul’s troubled spirit, was believed to possess particular spiritual resonance. Jewish mystics even suggested that the traditional Israeli harp’s twenty-two strings correspond with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet and thus connect to each letter’s innermost meaning. As Rabbi Richard Lehrman, z”l, Temple Sinai’s founding rabbi, often turned to the teachings of Kabbalah, especially Gematria in which numbers substitute for letters to yield mystical interpretations of sacred texts, David’s harp was selected by Sinai congregants as a fitting tribute to his memory.
Reflection from Jan Epstein:
Why David’s Harp? The sound of the harp truly signifies the man, Rabbi Richard Lehrman – his sweet and soft love of Torah and the strong love of his congregational family. Dick was a man of soft tones, a man of smooth tones, yet loud enough to instill in us the richness of the Jewish faith, as strong as the deeper sounds of the harp…smooth and strong. He led us to Reform Judaism by showing us how to study, how to dig deeper into our knowledge, and how to pass these attributes to our children.
The Lehrman Garden proudly displays the striking harp, as the wind passes through its strings. Rabbi Richard Lehrman left us at such an early age; we rely on the harp to remind us of his strengths and the music of his teaching which guided us to love our personal Judaism. He was our friend; he was our teacher; he will always remain as music to our hearts and souls.
1b Miriam’s Fountain
Acquired and installed Summer 2023
Built by Stonecasters LLC
Medium: Cast Stone
Gift of Jan and Lynn Saperstein in memory of Frances Saperstein
The capacity to draw strength and inspiration from life’s challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth and leadership is what inspired Miriam’s Well sculpture and Fountain. The transformation of his mother later in life from homemaker to successful businesswoman, the donor believed, is comparable to flowing water which never ceases, a quality beautifully mirrored in the design of this piece. We read in Torah that, during the Israelites’ forty years in the wilderness, wherever Miriam went wells of water would miraculously appear, providing life and sustenance for the people. Miriam’s Fountain hopes to inspire recognition and appreciation of all those whose example and sustenance have fostered our own growth.
Reflection from Jan Saperstein:
Lynn and I, and our grown children, Hilary (Marc), Raleigh (Brent), and our grandchildren, Jake, Harrison, and Reese Goldberg, Juniper and Calla Wasser donated this fountain that we have named, Miriam’s Fountain, in memory of my mom, Frances Saperstein. Through this, we honor Temple Sinai’s culture of clear egalitarian actions, both spiritually and religiously. Mom’s story beautifully mirrors the symbolism of Miriam and her “well” and the use of water as our source of life. Like Miriam’s Well, which provided sustenance and guidance to the Israelites during their journey, so my mother provided strength and was a resource for those around her.
1c Music to My Ears Sculpture
Installed 2021
Designed by Steve Steinman, Atlanta sculptor and Sinai member
Medium: Recycled Materials
Gift of Andrea, Steve and Sasha Steinman in memory of their
parents and grandparents
This expressive, contemporary sculpture entitled Music to My Ears is one of several works created by Steve Steinman as part of his L’dor V’dor (from generation to generation) series. Through the use of recycled materials, Mr. Steinman both literally and artistically shows in his work how things move “from generation to generation.” As well, the sculpture metaphorically illustrates how the sounds of Hebrew songs, old and new, when taught to each generation, connect us to one another, now and across time. Through Music to My Ears, the Steinman family honors the tradition of learning joyous Hebrew songs from our parents.
Reflection from Steve Steinman:
Art and Music have always been an important foundation in Jewish life. Experiencing art can be beautiful and spiritually moving. When I was a child, my parents taught me all the Hebrew songs and as I travel around the world and hear them, I feel great pride and a sense of renewal. Through my art I have tried to connect that experience visually. My sculpture tries to forge a message that asserts its presence and brings us closer to God. For me art in Judaism always has a special purpose: to make us aware of the universe as a work of art.
Creating art is a process of renewal. My sculpture “Music to My Ears” is also a metaphor of the renewal of our society. The sculpture is comprised of various metal scraps that have been cast away after their initial use and assembled into a new meaningful statement. These include automobile parts, parts from industrial machinery, and junkyard scraps. The pieces become a statement of our society’s demise into a disposable culture. We have broken the cycle of American pride into a throwaway society of wastefulness and urban sprawl. Through the sculpture I’ve tried to complete the symphony of “American Renewal”. It’s up to us to rethink our values and keep our society unbroken just as our faith has remained together for centuries.
