Art and faith

More than a half-century ago, roughly from 1953-1956, an incredible set of stained glass windows were designed and installed in the sanctuary and chapel of Shaare Zedek Synagogue in University City. In 2013, Shaare Zedek merged with Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel to become Kol Rinah and in 2016, the new congregation agreed to swap buildings with the Journey Christian Church in Clayton.

At 1 p.m. Sunday, June 11, a final, hour-long ceremony will be held to commemorate the last time the Kol Rinah sanctuary will be used, with Rabbi Noah Arnow presiding. The public is invited to attend. Within a few days following this event, the windows will be boarded up as the sanctuary building undergoes extensive renovations by the Journey.

Eventually the windows will likely be moved to Kol Rinah’s new location at 7701 Maryland Ave. Also moving to the new space will be 10 very large Boccia paintings that once adorned BSKI; two are on display on either side of the Torah ark at the current Kol Rinah, at 829 N. Hanley Road, and the others are in storage.

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“We are committed to utilizing both these sets of art (the stained glass windows and the paintings) in our new home, as much as is humanly possible,” said Dr. Randi Mozenter, president of Kol Rinah, noting the fragility of the glass. “These wonderful works of art mean a great deal to both legacy congregations. They are historically very significant, a magnificent spiritual representation and bring such beauty and meaning to our sacred space.”

The windows, which share abstract designs and three-dimensional features, were designed by renowned artist Rodney Winfield, who at the time worked as a designer for Emil Frei Stained Glass Company in St. Louis. The themes were inspired by Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, who served Shaare Zedek until the late 1960s.

Winfield, now 92 and living in Carmel, Calif., has created other important works including a bronze and steel Ark Wall for Temple Israel in St. Louis and stained glass windows for the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The paintings at BSKI, which had been located in Richmond Heights, were created by Edward E. Boccia, an internationally known American painter who died in St. Louis in 2012 at the age of 91. He was a longtime professor at Washington University. 

His work is included in the several museum collections, including the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis University Museum of Art and Washington University’s Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, and more than 600 private collections.

Mozenter said temple leaders do not want to recreate the look of the sanctuary currently at Kol Rinah but rather incorporate these works of art so they complement the new space. She added the move should be complete by the end of 2018.

Singing for Siteman

If you’re looking for an evening out that not only features some of the best voices in St. Louis but also benefits one of the nation’s leading cancer research center, look no further than the 8th annual Sing for Siteman benefit concert. It takes place at 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 12, at the Performing Arts Center at John Burroughs School, 755 S. Price Road. 

Eight acclaimed vocalists, all of whom are in residence in St. Louis as part of the 2017 Opera Theatre of St. Louis season, will perform favorite selections from popular music, Broadway and opera. All proceeds benefit the Siteman Cancer Center’s Discovery Fund in support of cancer research projects. 

The artists are donating their time and talent. Among them is Theo Hoffman, who is performing as Josef K. in the American premier of “The Trial” by Philip Glass, which is now in repertoire at OTSL. Hoffman, a Manhattan-born baritone, is Jewish.

Attendees will have an opportunity to mingle with the vocalists at a wine and dessert reception after the concert. Kim Eberlein and Susan and Jack Musgrave are co-chairs of the event; steering committee members include Susan Sherman, Alice Handelman, Margie Jaffe and Fran Zamler.

Tickets are $100 for preferred seating and $50 for general seating. They can be ordered by calling OTSL’s box office at 314-961-0644 or online at singforsiteman.org.

Double take

I’ve especially enjoyed the last couple of episodes of “Better Call Saul” (FX, 9 p.m. Mondays) largely because St. Louis’ own Sklar Brothers, Jason and Randy Sklar, have cameo roles. The two play co-owners of a music store who Saul (aka Jimmy McGill, the show’s star Bob Odenkirk) tries to talk into letting him shoot a commercial for their business. No spoilers here but let’s just say the Sklar Brothers’ scene is pivotal to the main character earning the nickname “Slippin’ Jimmy.”