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Temple Beth Sholom is the oldest Jewish congregation
in Las Vegas -- but it is also one of the newest and
most modern Jewish houses of worship in the entire southwestern
United States. The sprawling, state-of-the-art facility
was opened on Sept. 24, 2000. It is a Conservative congregation
with a membership in excess of 600 families. The new
temple structure, an edifice built to a great extent
of magnificent Jerusalem stone, marble and mosaics in
an ultra-modern design, is set upon a seven-acre tract
in the Summerlin section of Las Vegas.
Take a tour of our Temple
Breath-Taking Sanctuary
The temple contains a breath-taking
sanctuary with more than 500 permanent seats. On the
high holidays, Temple Beth Sholom seats close to 1,700
worshipers, by way of opening the modular doors to two
separate social halls which then connect to form one
enormous sanctuary. The social halls can individually
accommodate parties and catered affairs that will seat
several hundred. The temple has two separate kosher
kitchens, for meat and dairy,
under the auspices of its rabbi, Felipe Goodman. The
beauty of the semi-circular sanctuary is enhanced by
16 enormous and handsomely colorful stained-glass windows,
each reflecting a chapter of biblical Judaica. The Aron
Ha'kodesh has uniquely designed doors that stand more
than 20 feet in height, with a striking Ner Tamid (perpetual
light) at the top. Framed as the Spirit of Life, the
Ner Tamid is inspired by a pillar of fire and smoke
that led our people through the desert. It is depicted
by spiraling ribbons of stainless and bronze that evoke
a column of smoke. Nestled within, and constructed of
copper and bronze, is the eternal flame.
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Ten Commandments In Gold
The bima design and the ark contain
several biblical references. The ark and Its periphery
are built of acacia wood and Ramon stone from Israel.
The Ten Commandments are abbreviated in gold along the
white stone walls that adjoin both sides of the ark.
Above this breath-taking but solemn display is a huge
plexi-glass dome through which rays of sunshine are
particularly striking during Sabbath morning services.
Soft, beautifully-colored weavings serve as a background
setting for the more than a dozen Sefer Torahs that
can be seen through the doors. The weavings depict G-d's
pillar of clouds leading the Jewish people through the
desert, the parting of the Red Sea, the top of the mountain,
the tablets and the tree of life.
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Mikveh
The world’s natural bodies of water-its oceans,
rivers, wells and spring fed lakes – are mikvehs in
their most primal form. They contain waters of divine
source and thus, tradition teaches, the power to elevate
us spiritually. Created even before the earth took
shape, these bodies of water offer a quintessential
route to consecration. Jewish life therefore
necessitates the construction of mikvehs (mikveh pools),
and indeed this has been done by Temple Beth Sholom.
The Mikveh at Temple Beth Sholom is available by
appointment.
Call the Temple Office for appointments and
rates.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be
gathered together to one place, and let the dry land
appear; and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering
together of the waters He called Seas; and God saw that
it was good.
Thoughts about Mikveh
- Immersion in the Mikveh is an ancient
ritual that still has Jewish legal validity.
- The purpose of the Mikveh is a spiritual one, not
to bathe for physical cleanliness.
- In the past, Conservative Judaism has by
and large ignored the ritual aspects of Taharat
hamishpacha (Laws regarding family purity) but is now
reconsidering its spiritual importance.
- Conservative conversion requires study, a
metting with a rabbinic court, circumcision for males,
and ritual immersion in a Mikveh.
- Jews by choice tend to react positively to
Mikveh immersion, which they appreciate for its
spiritual meaning.
- The Mikveh may be used by both men and
women seeking a spiritual experience. It may be used before a life changing event such as
a wedding.
- Many people find that immersing themselves
in the waters of the Mikveh before Shabbat and the
Holy Days, during Rosh Hodesh, or on a special
birthday or anniversary adds a very special and
spiritual meaning to their celebration.
About the Mikveh
Some aspects of ritual Mikveh
immersion have retained their importance amongst
observant Jews to this day, but the spiritual
implications of Mikveh are being appreciated by growing
numbers also.
Conservative Judaism’s outreach activities have, in
recent decades, resulted in increasing numbers of people
seeking to convert to Judaism. The Conservative Jewish
process of conversion requires candidates, after a
significant period of study, to appear before a bet din,
or rabbinic court, to explain their reasons for choosing
Judaism and to commit themselves to live as Jews,
observe the Commandments, and raise any children with
whom they may be blessed in the Jewish community and
faith. Male candidates are required to undergo
circumcision or, if already circumcised, to have a
symbolic ceremony. All converts complete the rituals of
conversion by immersing themselves in a Mikveh.
At a time when New Age enthusiasm is persuading numbers
of people, disenchanted with traditional religious
_expression, to seek fresh ways of discovering spiritual
meaning in their lives, Conservative Judaism has found
in an age-old practice a metaphor for rebirth and
renewal that retains its power to uplift and inspire.
What is a Mikveh and how does it work?
The world’s natural bodies of water
its oceans, rivers, wells and spring fed lakes are
mikvaot in their most primal form. They contain waters
of a natural source, which was created by God and thus,
tradition teaches, the power to purify and uplift.
Created even before the earth took shape, these bodies
of water offer a quintessential route to consecration.
But they pose difficulties as well. These waters may be
inaccessible or dangerous, not to mention the problems
of inclement weather and lack of privacy. Jewish life
therefore necessitates the construction of mikvaot, and
indeed this has been done, by Jews in every age and
circumstance.
To the uninitiated, a modern-day Mikveh looks like
aminiature swimming pool. In a religion rich with
detail, beauty, and ornamentation against the backdrop
of the ancient temple or even modern-day synagogues the
Mikveh is surprisingly nondescript, a humble structure.
Its ordinary appearance, however, belies its primary
place in Jewish life and law. The Mikveh offers the
individual, the community, and the nation of Israel the
remarkable gift of purity and holiness. No other
religious establishment, structure, or rite can affect
the Jew in this way and, indeed, on such an essential
level. Its extraordinary power, however, is contingent
on its construction in accordance with the numerous and
complex specifications as outlined in Halachah, Jewish
Law.
Briefly: A Mikveh must be built into the ground or built
as an essential part of a building. Portable
receptacles, such as bathtubs, whirlpools, or Jacuzzis,
can therefore never function as mikvaot. The Mikveh must
contain a minimum of two hundred gallons of rainwater or
what is called traditionally Mayim Hayim that was
gathered and siphoned into the Mikveh in accordance with
a highly specific set of regulations. In extreme cases
where the acquisition of rainwater is impossible, ice or
snow may be used to fill the Mikveh. As with the
rainwater, an intricate set of laws surrounds its
handling.
The casual observer will often see
only one pool, the one used for immersion. In reality,
most mikvoat are comprised of two, sometimes three,
adjoining pools. While the accumulated rainwater or
melted ice water is kept in one pool, the adjacent
immersion pool is drained and refilled regularly with
tap water. The pools share a common wall that has a hole
at least two inches in diameter. The free flow, or
kissing of waters between the two pools makes the waters
of the immersion pool and extension of the Mayim Hayim,
thus conferring upon the immersion pool the legal status
of ma’ayan. (The above description is one of two
methods sanctioned by Halachah to achieve this goal.)
Modern-day mikvaot are equipped with filtration and
water purification systems. The Mikveh waters are
commonly chest high and kept at a comfortable
temperature.
Access to the pool is achieved via stairs. The Mikveh as
an institution is the victimof a popular misconception.
Immersion in water is naturally associated with
cleansing. To further complicate the issue, Jews
historically were often barred by the authorities from
using rivers in their cities for bathing. In response
they built bathhouses, many with mikvaot in or near
them.
Together, these factors forged an inextricable link
between the idea of Mikveh and physical hygiene. But the
Mikveh never was a monthly substitute for bath or
shower. In fact, the Halachah stipulates that one must
be scrupulously clean before immersing. To facilitate
this requirement, preparation areas-with showers,
shampoos, soaps, and other cleansing and beauty aids are
astaple of the modern Mikveh. Many mikvaot are located
in synagogues, alwys in a discrete part of the building
and usually with their own entrance. Larger mikvaot are
generally housed in freestanding buildings. Until a
relatively short time ago, most mikvaot could best be
described as utilitarian: function, not comfort,
dictated their style. A new awareness among modern
Jewish women, the rabbinate, and community leaders over
the last few decades has aparked a new trend in Mikveh
construction. Beautiful, even lavish, mikvaot complete
with elegant foyers and waiting rooms, fully equipped
preparation areas, and well designed Mikvaot are being
built across the country and around the world. Many of
these new Mikvaot can be found in many Conservative
Synagogues throughout the world and in some Reform
Congregations as a new trend emerges in liberal Jewish
spirituality.
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Historic Sefer Torahs
Among the Sefer Torahs and Haftorah
scrolls at Beth Sholom are several of particular age
and note. They include scrolls that were partially desecrated
by the Nazis, discovered in European countries at the
conclusion of World War II. One, taken by a member's
parents from a shtetl shul in Germany, is believed to
be as much as 600 years old. A separate chapel, which
serves twice daily minyanim, has permanent seats for
almost 100 and also is surrounded by colorful stained-glass
windows. It contains the same atmosphere of respectful
solemnity as the sanctuary.
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Modern, Complete Religious
School
Facilities at Temple Beth Sholom are
as up-to-date and complete as possible, including 10
classrooms in a religious school that can accommodate
more than 400 children, a library just for children
as well as an adult library. Beth Sholom has a complete
mikveh, following strict Halachic guidelines, with all
of the separate necessary facilities for men and women.
It's Women's League maintains a large and well-stocked
gift shop of Judaic items, updated periodically to coincide
with the needs of each holiday.
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Warsaw Ghetto Remembrance Garden
What may be one of the proudest additions
to the synagogue is the creation of a Warsaw Ghetto
Remembrance Garden that was built with hundreds of the actual
stones that came from the very streets of the World
War II Warsaw Ghetto in Poland. The project, sponsored
by the Men's Club of Temple Beth Sholom, is a truly
fitting tribute to the six million Jews who died in
the Holocaust.
As one drives up to the entrance of Temple
Beth Sholom, situated within a circular area is a magnificent
sculpture of a Burning Bush -- the very symbol of Israel
and the indestructibility of the Jewish people. A perpetual
light is situated upon the Burning Bush to symbolize
the ever presence of the Almighty.
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Jerusalem Stone And Mosaics
The Jerusalem stone used to build the
outer facade of the temple walls was brought from Israel.
It was donated by a member in honor of his father who
died fighting in the Yom Kippur War. The entrance to
the marble and mosaic lobby of the temple is through
two 14-foot high mahogany doors that were taken from
the former Temple Beth Sholom building. The doors, impossible
to duplicate under present conditions due to the size
of the wood and the stringencies on the importation
of mahogany, contain the following inscription: "Enter
into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts
with praise." Adorning the huge lobby floor, flanked
by marble tiles, is a truly magnificent and colorful
mosaic, symbolizing the Jewish people's pursuit of their
religion through the practice of its rituals and through
an adherence of its ideals. At the center are the lion
and lamb, framed with an abstracted crown. The geometry
of the crown alludes to the Star of David and its six
points. Six fields along the perimeter contain icons
that depict Jewish religion and culture. These include
the dove, the shofar, the lulav and etrog, the Seder
plate, a motif of fruits and leaves.
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Solemn Area For Yahrzeit Plaques
Adjacent to the sanctuary's entrance
is a winding area of marble walls Containing Yahrzeit
plaques. Benches are built into this solemn area allowing
anyone to sit and reflect within a framework of privacy.
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