Wedding Canopy for Temple Beth El, Birmingham, MI

Many different fabrics, dyes, paints
Appliqué, painting
305 cm widex260 highx244 deep (10’x8’6"x8’)

In this sanctuary by architect Minoru Yamasaki, perimeter windows of clear glass look out onto the Temple's beautiful land-scaping. The chuppah extends this view and reminds us of the custom of planting a tree when a child is born and using the boughs at his or her marriage.

Two trees spread over the couple, nourished by rays of light representing God's spirit and coming to a focal point where the branches meet. This idea is also reflected in the bene-diction: "May G'd's spirit shine graciously on you." The 32 figs and pomegranates represent the number of letters in the marriage vow as well as the Hebrew numerical equivalent for lev (heart).

Click on titles to view details:
detail one
site view
detail of lettering
return to full view