Many Hands, One Tapestry

 

            As you travel on Wildwood Drive, nestled between SR 207 & US 1 in St. Augustine, you will find the synagogue of  Temple Bet Yam, Temple by the Sea. Built and dedicated in 2008 Temple Bet Yam is the first synagogue to be constructed in St. Augustine in many years. Over the past seventeen years, the small Reform Jewish congregation, led by Rabbi Mark N. Goldman, has shown great growth.

            The members of Temple Bet Yam are excited about having a home of their own and they are especially excited about a needlepoint tapestry that is hanging in the sanctuary of the new Temple. What makes this tapestry special is that all TBY members participated in the stitching process.

            Temple Bet Yam is honored to have Bonnie Yales, an internationally known artist and craftsperson, as a member of the congregation. One of Bonnie’s unique skills is to design needlepoint canvases for Judaic tapestries that have been used for wall hangings, torah covers, tallit, and other items. Her extraordinary work hangs in many synagogues in both the United States and Israel.

            As a very special gift to our congregation, Bonnie has designed a unique tapestry entitled Peace and Inclusivity. Following that theme, each temple member will participate in the creation of the tapestry.

            The TBY Tapestry committee is co-chaired by Gwen Kotler who was a member of Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA where Bonnie’s late husband, Rabbi Cary Yales was the senior Rabbi for thirty plus years. A large needlepoint tapestry hangs there in Temple Isaiah, designed by

Bonnie and stitched by congregation members.

 Each panel has a captain who guides and instructs the group of Temple members assigned to her panel. The panel captains are Bonnie Yales, Gwen Kotler, Dr. Meryl Goldman, Benita Sirkin, and Maxine Levine.

            The tapestry hangs in our Temple home on Wildwood Drive. Many generations will be able to enjoy this beautiful piece of needlepoint art. All of the TBY stitchers will feel a great sense of pride once they see their handiwork on the wall of our new Temple. This will be a unique work of art designed for the congregation and created by the congregation.