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Washington Hebrew Congregation is a sacred space. A place to reflect, learn, and acknowledge the wonders of our world. The walls of this beautiful Temple represent those values in our permanent collection of art. We are thrilled to present this remarkable collection that spans from the 16th Century to today, and features an array of styles, from realist to Dadaist, in a variety of media.
One of the most impressive aspects of this collection is the diverse range of artists represented here. From world-renowned names like Rembrandt, Dali, Chagall, Calder, and Warhol to lesser-known yet significant artists such as Walter Spitzer, Marcel Janco, and Jim Dine. In addition, this collection proudly showcases some remarkable local artists, including Sherry Zvares Sanabria, Carol Brown Goldberg, and Zachary Oxman.
Each piece in this collection is a testament to the transformative power of art, representing a unique expression of the human experience. As you explore, we hope these works will offer a glimpse into the profound beauty and rich cultural influence the Jewish people have brought to art and artists.
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Saunders Schultz (American, 1927-2017) and William Conrad Severson (American, 1925-1999)
Yod Menorah, 1984
Saunders Schultz and William Conrad Severson were 20th Century artists committed to the synthesis of architectural environment and human concern. In The Christian Science Monitor (April 1, 1980), Theodore Wolff described them as among the best of publicly engaged artists who find dynamic and creative challenge in conceiving art to enhance civic, corporate, and religious structures.
Yod Menorah consists of seven polished stainless steel Yods which represent the Jewish letter for God, and the structure stands 26′ tall x 28′ wide x 28′ deep. In one interview, Schultz recounted: “When I was invited to Washington as one of the five finalists I was told, “If it’s not Jewish we won’t pay for it – and if it is Jewish we will not pay for it because we believe in the ecumenical spirit.” When a Baptist woman asked me, “Do you mind if I love it? To me it represents hands reaching upward.”, I knew the sculpture was a success.” Collaborating on the sculpture and its setting at Washington Hebrew Congregation were landscape architect Robert Goetz, engineer Arthur Monsey, and John Watson, lighting consultant.
Their St. Louis studio, Scopia, created works from model-size to 27 stories tall and can be found across the U.S., as well as Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Moscow.
