Our Sacred Space

We love saying that there are no strangers at the OJC -- only friends we've not met or gotten to know yet. Even if you're not yet a member of our community, we encourage you to visit in person, join us in daily, Shabbat or Yom Tov worship, and see for yourself why we say "the OJC is the place to be."

Welcome to the Walerstein Sanctuary. This magnificent space is our spiritual gathering place and refuge. Whether you're a first-timer or a longstanding member, there are some neat things to know about this special place.

The Eternal Light
Just above the center of the bimah (pulpit) you’ll notice a jagged white light and a Hebrew inscription, etched in Jerusalem stone. The Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) is a commandment found in Exodus; a symbol of G-d’s presence that is never extinguished. 

The Hebrew quote above the Aron Kodesh (the Ark containing our Torah scrolls) reads from right to left: “Sh’viti Hashem K’negdi Tamid" - “I Keep G-d Before Me Always.”

The Stained Glass Windows
The panels, viewed from right to left, portray the history of the Jewish people from biblical times, through the horrors of the Holocaust, to the birth of the modern State of Israel. And they tell the story of our festivals and rituals. (See if you can find the dove from the story of Noah featured in our congregational logo!) The Hebrew above the panels, read from right to left, are the first words of the Creation story from the Book of Berasheit (Genesis).