United Hebrew Congregation unveiled its newly renovated Millstone Sanctuary to members on Friday evening, Sept. 6. The Shabbat service included a dedication of the sanctuary following completion of the rehab. It includes a redesign of the overall floor space and lighter paint on the walls, which accentuates the reflection of sunlight from the stained glass.
It was the first major work done on the sanctuary since the original construction of the synagogue in 1989, according to Jim Susman, president of the congregation’s board of trustees.
“It’s a fresh new look,” Susman said. “We put in all new carpeting in the sanctuary and the chapel, we took out permanent seats and put in new chairs that can be moved to make it a more versatile space, and we extended the bima out into the sanctuary so everybody can be closer.”
The renovation began in June and was completed in three months. Supplies were ordered ahead of the closing of the sanctuary so construction could be accomplished quickly. The project was made possible by a gift from Eva Ashner, as a tribute to her late husband Fred, according to Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg.
“Fred loved the congregation and loved the sanctuary,” Rosenberg said. “Fred and Eva came here one Shabbat when they were looking for a home and from that moment Fred and Eva embraced United Hebrew and United Hebrew embraced them. Fred knew the importance of supporting the synagogue and of being an active participant in the synagogue community.”
Rosenberg said a notable feature of the renovated space is the lower bima.
“I love the lower bima that brings us closer to everybody,” she said. “That’s my favorite thing and it’s so much brighter. I’ve wanted a lower bima for so long, it felt like we were far away from everybody before and now we’re right there with them.”
