As we approach the High Holy Days and our thoughts turn to prayer and repentance, we will join together as a community in our historic sanctuary. This is the time when a number of our members join our rabbis in leading worship services. Because of the placement of our bima, however, many are unable to participate fully. Our bima is not accessible to all and there is no opportunity for those who are wheelchair-bound or who cannot otherwise navigate steps to join those up on the bima. During Shabbat services, when some members of our community are called to the Torah, the rabbis must bring the Torah down to them on the floor of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is the center of our building and the bima is the heart of our Sanctuary. For a holy community that supports and cherishes all its members, not having the bima accessible to all is intolerable. I consider the effort to make our bima more accessible to be the completion of the building project of several years ago that successfully reconstructed other parts of our building for the purpose of becoming more accommodating.
We are fortunate that our Special Needs Committee brought this matter to the attention of the Board two years ago. A Task Force, ably chaired by Bob Rosenthal, studied the issue and reviewed many possibilities to create a more accessible bima. The result was a thoughtful plan that creates a new, mid-height extension in front of the current bima, with curved ramps on both sides. The current bima will not be changed and can still be used for larger services. The extension and ramps will be in the style of the sanctuary, and will only enhance the beauty and functionality of our historic space. We are also very fortunate that two foundations, the Charles Morris Foundation and the Goldstein Family Foundation, have generously contributed the funds necessary for the addition, so that no operating funds need to be spent on this necessary project. The Board and the Task Force are cognizant of the historic nature of our sanctuary and will ensure that the addition will be consonant with the beauty and style of our house of worship.
The mid-height bima will allow us greater flexibility in our conduct of services. Either the higher or the lower portion of the bima may be used for a service, or both can be used. During Sukkot, the sukkah can be placed on either part, and weddings and funerals will be accommodated. The extension will be closer to the congregation and will enable us to conduct services with differing worship styles. The higher bima will still be used for more formal services.
The Special Needs Committee, chaired by Marcia Levaur and Barbara Rogal (and in previous years by Barbara Shore and Bob Whitehill), has also overseen other projects that continue to make our building accessible. Certain bathrooms now have motorized doors, the inner foyer door is also powered, additional signage has been placed in the building, as well as some changes to the parking lot.
These changes may seem mundane, but they are not. They speak to our desire to live by our cherished values, to be a house of prayer to all people, and to be a holy community accessible to all. I look forward to our High Holy Day services next year when all will be able to participate equally in our services.
Lea and I wish all of you and your families a happy and healthy New Year.
