Images(2)

Sign, Informational

Object number2018.116.1

MediumMasonite; Wood; Metal; Paint; Graphite

Credit LineGift of William Kofmehl

DescriptionRectangular masonite and wooden High Holidays sign.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 53.125 × 82 × 1.25 in. (134.9 × 208.3 × 3.2 cm)
SignedPainted red text in bottom right corner "S.S."
InscriptionsFront has blue and red painted text "[Hebrew translation "to listen to the song and to the prayer"] / HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES / Under Direction Of / OUR SPIRITUAL LEADER Rabbi YISROEL GRUMER / ROSH HASHONO SEPT. 27-28 YOM KIPPUR OCT. 6 / Traditional Services will be chanted by our / NOTED TENOR CANTOR SAMUEL JOFFE / RESERVE SEATS EARLY".
Historical NotesTorath Chaim Congregation was a Jewish congregation in East Liberty. The congregation was founded in 1927, closed in 2004, and operated for most of that time out of a synagogue at 728 North Negley Avenue. This sign from the Torath Chaim Congregation would have been used to remind members of Torath Chaim to purchase tickets for the upcoming High Holiday services—Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The sign appears to have been used for multiple years by whiting out and re-lettering certain relevant details, such as the names of the clergy and the dates of the holidays. The current configuration was most likely painted in 1965. By coincidence, this was also the year Sandy Koufax skipped the World Series in honor of Yom Kippur. The sign was donated by William Kofmehl, the current owner of the building. At the time of the donation, he was renovating and restoring aspects of the building and converting it for a new use.

Related institution Torath Chaim Congregation (1927 - 2004)

Related person Samuel Joffe

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