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The installation of the Sh'ma sculpture in the Social Hall is perhaps the most exciting of the temple's beautification projects. Originally commissioned by the Baumann family and Temple Jeremiah in 1994, the Sh'ma is a wonderful art piece to grace our walls.

Designed by Chicago-based sculptor Neil Goodman, the sculpture represents "a juxtaposition of interacting objects" to create a visual narrative consistent with Jewish artistic traditions. Mr. Goodman's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the country. The individual bronze sculptures, including a staff, ram's head, shofar, ax, tent and snake, via their spatial interactions with one another, result in an artistic work that is "both participatory and individual."

Mr. Goodman strove to create an artistic work which conveyed a distinctly Jewish message and at the same time did not violate Jewish tradition, which forbids "graven images" and does not lend itself to "stylistically recognizable" art work. The Sh'ma "extends the more traditional notions of what synagogue art can be. I feel that the essence of this sculpture is interpretation and living individual interaction similar to Judaism," Mr. Goodman states.Temple Jeremiah is pleased to return this noted sculpture to its home.