The textile panels as seen in The Temple are hung side-by-side to collectively tell a story of the seven days of creation The tapestries are hung reading from right to left as Hebrew is traditionally read with day one of creation on the far right and the seventh day of creation on the far left. Click Here and Click Here to enlarge.

The biblical "Seven Days of Creation" are being glorified in a Jacquard loomed tapestry to be permanently displayed in The Temple.

The Temple commissioned Laurie Gross Studios of Santa Barbara, Ca., an award winning, internationally recognized leader in the production of spiritually based artwork, to create seven paneled Judaic tapestries for its sanctuary choir wall.

Measuring a total of 30 feet in width and 10 feet in height, the textile panels are hung side-by-side to collectively tell a story of the seven days of creation.

Contributing members of the Zeitlin �~@~S Averbuch Families who donated funds to support the "Seven Days of Creation" tapestries in memory of Martin Zeitlin included: his wife, Shirley; his sons, Manuel and �| �| Janice Zeitlin, Bruce and Beth Zeitlin, and Jeff Zeitlin; his brother, Barry and Linda Zeitlin; Shirley�~@~Ys brothers, Jerry and Arlene Averbuch, and Larry and Sandy Averbuch; and Shirley's mother, Juliet Averbuch.

 Tour Our Temple

Click image to enlarge.

The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom, moved to its current location in 1955. The move to the “suburbs” from downtown benefited from a large Jewish population in the west side of Nashville.

In the late 1990's, the congregation recognized that it had substantially outgrown its facility, which was built for a 500 family membership. The building had also become outdated and no longer met the needs of the congregation. As a part of the Temple’s long range plan, Project 2000, a Master Plan study was conducted to determine future needs. At the same time, a feasibility study was undertaken to ensure that the financial resources to fund such a massive project would be available.

With satisfactory responses in both areas, the renovation began. The original building contained two floors and some 35,000 square feet. The newly renovated synagogue now spans over 60,000 square feet. There were many additions which have created a warm, open, inviting and spiritual Jewish home for our congregation.

Before we tour The Temple facility, it must be emphasized that one of the most important design criterias was—security and safety. Ensuring that our synagogue would be secure to everyone inside—from students and faculty to members and guests as well as all of our staff. Security was a #1 priority of our Board of Trustees. The entire building is always locked down from the outside. Security cameras monitor the activity outside the building and over the grounds. Entry into the building is approved by the visual contact from our receptionist at either the front door or the entrance to our Preschool. Sign in’s are required for the Preschool. We regularly review our security procedures and practices. . . .

Approaching The Temple

Driving up the winding, tree-lined drive in suburban Nashville, your mood may already be changing. The first sight is the beautiful stained glass windows in our sanctuary and the giant oak tree framed by them, representing the historical past of our congregation.

As you turn the corner, there is an opportunity to drive under a canopy and have your passengers disembark during inclement weather (and park close to the sanctuary, chapel and social hall for seniors and those needing a shorter walk).....

Our Conference Rooms

Our Confirmation Photographs

Our Family Tiles

Our Preschool

Our Chapel

Our Sanctuary

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Several paces from the Chapel entrance you will find glass cases displaying our Judaica and other exhibits. Just past the displays, set permanently in the wall, is our extraordinary Ben Shan mosaic. Its colors radiate with beauty, and it can be seen the moment you enter The Temple.

The door handles into the sanctuary were formerly on the Ark doors. The small door windows with the Star of David, that allow a peek into the sanctuary, also came from the old building.

Open the doors into our sanctuary. The view down the aisle towards the bema and the Ark sets a mood of spirituality and tranquility. The wooden arms on the ends of rows of seats were from the seats of the old sanctuary. They were preserved and reused .

The sanctuary was specifically designed to make the worship experience more participative and communal. The bema is only slightly raised (except for the High Holy Days). Our Temple volunteer choir occupies a platform adjacent to the bema during the High Holidays.

On the right wall, the magnificent stained glass window speaks of "Atz
Chayim He, The Tree of Life." Through the colorful and translucent glass, one can see the aged oak tree depicting the heritage of our congregation. The leaves that emerge in the spring, provide much needed shade in the summer, turn bright colors as they fall in autumn, seem stark and barren in the cold of winter.

Through the imposing glass Ark doors, you can see our Torahs, encased in the hand-made multicolored needlepoint covers and appearing to be suspended in air.

The sanctuary opens to the Chapel for additional seating. It also opens to our Social Hall during the High Holidays. Almost 1500 members and guests can comfortably participate at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.

Our Social Hall

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Adjacent to the Sanctuary is our beautiful Social Hall. A prime focus of the renovation was to create a social space that our members would find attractive and which they would regularly use for life cycle and other events, in lieu of choosing a venue other than The Temple. It has the appearance of a well-appointed hotel ballroom.

Whether it is used as is, or decorated with additional lighting and flowers, the Social Hall can host an elegant evening event as well as our Purim carnival. . . .

Our Glass Foyer

Click photo to enlarge.

Just to your left as you exit the Social Hall you will see our beautiful
glass foyer. This tranquil room, enhanced by sunlight during the day and the moon and stars by night is used by members of our Temple family for small receptions and social functions. . . .

Our Sculpture Garden and Memorial Alcove

The textile panels as seen in The Temple are hung side-by-side to collectively tell a story of the seven days of creation The tapestries are hung reading from right to left as Hebrew is traditionally read with day one of creation on the far right and the seventh day of creation on the far left. Click Here and Click Here to enlarge.

The biblical “Seven Days of Creation” are being glorified in a Jacquard loomed tapestry to be permanently displayed in The Temple.

The Temple commissioned Laurie Gross Studios of Santa Barbara, Ca., an award winning, internationally recognized leader in the production of spiritually based artwork, to create seven paneled Judaic tapestries for its sanctuary choir wall.

Measuring a total of 30 feet in width and 10 feet in height, the textile panels are hung side-by-side to collectively tell a story of the seven days of creation.

Contributing members of the Zeitlin – Averbuch Families who donated funds to support the “Seven Days of Creation” tapestries in memory of Martin Zeitlin included: his wife, Shirley; his sons, Manuel and   Janice Zeitlin, Bruce and Beth Zeitlin, and Jeff Zeitlin; his brother, Barry and Linda Zeitlin; Shirley’s brothers, Jerry and Arlene Averbuch, and Larry and Sandy Averbuch; and Shirley’s mother, Juliet Averbuch.