11- Sacred Tree Stained Glass
Donated and installed, Summer 2021
Artist: Nancy Spanagel, 2013
Material: Leaded Stained Glass
In memory of Warren Jacobs, z”l
Gifted by the Jacobs family: Judie Jacobs, Elana Jacobs, Rebecca Feldstein, Fede Feldstein, David Feldstein and Gabriela Feldstein
A 60th birthday gift to Warren Jacobs, z”l, from his wife Judie, this Chagall-inspired piece captures the profound connection Warren saw between nature and spirituality. The artwork particularly reflects his understanding of the physical and symbolic importance of trees in Jewish tradition. The vibrant blue colored glass pays tribute to Warren’s legacy as a healer, poet, and storyteller. Initially displayed in the Jacobs’ home, the piece was donated to Temple Sinai after his passing, and this beautiful installation continues to enrich the spiritual journey of all who pass through our hallways.
Reflection from Judie Jacobs:
I had the privilege of having Warren in my life for nearly 40 years. In addition to his profession as a psychiatrist, Warren was also a storyteller, composer, and musician whose love of his Jewish heritage delighted audiences throughout Atlanta. Warren helped individuals discover greater joy in life by sharing his positive, compassionate, hopeful, and contagious energy, both individually and through his participation in the Atlanta Jewish Men’s Choir, Atlanta Balalaika Society, and Southern Order of Storytellers.
Warren’s “Tree Stories: A Collection of Extraordinary Encounters” is a fascinating, heartwarming compilation of poems and anecdotes about trees in the lives of children and adults. His creative writing pays tribute to the material, spiritual, and personal roles that trees play in our lives, and helps the reader to better appreciate life’s small pleasures.
My dear friend and fellow artist, Nancy Spanagel, who created these beautiful windows, wanted to capture the essence of Warren’s love of Judaism, and her use of the deep blue stained glass is a nod to Chagall, whose grandparents came from a small shtetl in Russia. My hope is that the windows continue to inspire viewers as well as provide a glimpse of Warren’s spirit and essence.
