Cyril Korn Windows at New London Synagogue - Catalogue

THE CYRIL KORN WINDOWS at New

London Synagogue

by Josh Baum with Ofir Miller

Cyril Korn, of blessed memory, was a founding member of New London, together with his wife Yvonne. Cyril was incredible, not only regularly present at services, but also our honorary fix-it hero. For 50 years, into his late 80s, if a lightbulb needed to be changed, a sign needed re-varnishing or the succah needed to be erected and deconstructed – Cyril, bearing his trusty toolbox, would arrive. He was also a true lover of Israel and a tireless champion fundraiser for the UJIA. These windows were made possible thanks to a lead gift in Cyril’s memory and honour.

The Cyril Korn Windows

The designs, by Josh Baum with Ofir Miller, celebrate the land and poetry of Israel. Each focuses on a different area of the land – from the Golan in the North (closest to the entrance) to Eilat in the South (closest to the Bimah). Different geographies are reflected in designs rich in colour and imagery. The dancing calligraphy draws from the Hebrew Bible, liturgy and mediaeval & modern poetry.

We have provided this guide to the windows to share insight into the designs and the source (and translation) of the calligraphic texts.

Supporting, championing and developing this project has been one of the greatest pleasures of my time at New London Synagogue.

Rabbi Jeremy Gordon

Iyar 5783 / April 2023

Cyril and Yvonne Korn

Sefat, Jordan River, Golan Heights Emek Izrael, Galil, Kinneret

Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Haifa Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Ein Karem Eilat, Arava, Mitzpe Ramon

From Josh Baum

Ofir and I wanted to mention the method we used to make these images. Every segment of colour started as a painting or collage, or the texture of a local wall –I built a studio in my back garden specifically for this, to paint and stick freely and to photograph in the desert light. This might be called the digital provenance of these images – everything started off ‘real.’ Somehow we wanted the light of a desert studio to shine through these windows.

There is another way in which these windows are a collage of realities – there are some ‘truths’ which are geographical, others are midrashic, contemporary (the mysterious water tower of Mitzpe Ramon which would have made the ancient Nabateans laugh – or fall on their faces) and some are fantastical like the flying carpets of Jaffa and the dreaming Ibex. Other images are purely intuitive – like the bluebird on the vine in the Carmel. I suppose that the reality the windows propose is free of time and definition and above all open for you and your community to define – what would you like Israel to be – which of course strays into the realm of prayer which I kind of think Israel needs as much as water.

It is true that these windows are far from fragments of real glass snapped and leaded like you might find in the windows at Chartres, or the hand painted and acid-etched windows of Chagall – even the light is not natural – and yet actually (I google the semiconductive materials used in LEDs) it is the luminescence of compounds of Indium Gallium (there are others, but Indium Gallium was my favourite), which make the light. These earth metal compounds remind me that all light is connected. Light that came from our sun millions of years ago has been transformed again and again, and eventually – through metals harvested from the Earth that have undergone their own transformation into semiconductors – turns back into the light that passes through these windows to our eyes today. This is of course well beyond my level of understanding, but even the light from our smartphones is eventually harvested from the planet and her metals. I recently came across a quite bonkers alchemist, a 16th century Archbishop of Uppsala who believed that bright metals grew underground from sunlight. I guess the point is that, perhaps, light is light.

GOLAN HEIGHTS

The sun rises over Mount Hermon, melting snow and giving birth to three rivers; the Snir (Chatsbani), Nachal Hermon (Banyas) and Nachal Dan. Basalt hexagons dot the landscape. Waterfalls, streams and pools abound while the Golan’s orchards fill with apples and cherries.

JORDAN RIVER

The sun rises over the biggest river in Israel. Storks and other migrating birds make their way along the Hula Valley. The word Hebrew, ‘Ivri’ comes from the word to cross over; having crossed over the river Jordan, the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land.

The shores of the Jordan are quiet and a tree faces out towards Damascus

He opens the gates in the east and cracks the windows in the North watering the mountains from great heights

Birchat Yotzer, Shabbat Siddur Psalms 104:13

El Artzi (Towards my Land), Rachel Song of Songs 7:5

Dedicated to Albert Slesinger & Hannah Lilian Slesinger of blessed memory by their daughter Susan Elizabeth Slesinger and her family

And by the Rechtman Family

Dedicated to Coral Samuel CBE of blessed memory who worshipped at this shul for over 50 years from her family with love and admiration

Poppies grow on hillsides near the blue graves of righteous mystics including HaAri HaKadosh, Yosef Cordovero and Shlomo Alkabetz, author of the Lecha Dodi. Sfat is a city of cobbled streets, endless stone stairs and blue doors leading into Yeshivas – study halls. The dome of the Abuhav Synagogue can be seen on the hill.

Come let us go towards Shabbat for she is the source of blessing

Lecha Dodi, Shlomo Alkabetz

Miriam’s mysterious well gave water to the children of Israel for 40 years in the wilderness. Legend has the well coming to rest under the Kineret – Sea of Galilee – and continuing to water the land. The city of Tiberius is on the western coast, overlooked by the grave of Yonatan Ben Uziel.

Let there be a firmamnet between the waters The face of the waters are cobalt and light Genesis 1:6 Tzvaim (Colours), Rachel

Dedicated to Elliot Rosenblatt of blessed memory by his wife, Ruth, and children Ian, Jeremy and Tessa And Elvin Isaacs of blessed memory by his son, Stefan Isaacs, daughter-in-law Rebecca and grandchildren Louis and Noa

This triptych is dedicated in honour of Cyril Korn of blessed memory

A katlav, or strawberry tree, grows high in the hills. Nachal Amud emerges in Dalton as a stream and heads towards Achziv Beach on the Mediterranean coast. Cyclamen, narcissus and chrysanthemum flowers thrive, overlooked by the northern town, Shlomi, home to the Cyril and Yvonne Korn Media Centre.

While the modest cyclamen Asks to grow pink on the grey stone

Tzvaim (Colours), Rachel

The landscape is a patchwork of farms and reservoirs. A battle took place here where Saul and Jonathan died, for which King David wrote the lament Kinat David, cursing Mount Gilboa so that no rain or dew would fall; no rain for Saul and no dew for Jonathan. Rain and dew continue to fall.

The garden wore a stripey gown Spring was robed in joy across the fields

Ktonet Pasim Lavash Ha Gan (The Garden Wore a Stripey Gown), Moshe Even Ezra Etz (Tree), Leah Goldberg El Artzi (Towards my Land), Rachel

Cyril’s unstinting support of the New London Synagogue and Israel was exceptional. The family’s donation in his memory has made this project possible

Cyril is fondly remembered by all who knew him, especially by his wife Yvonne, children Deborah & Jonathan and all his family

HAIFA

Nachal Oren flows through Mount Carmel towards Haifa, Israel’s biggest port. Steps climb towards the Bahai Temple. To the north is the ancient town of Acco. This is wine country with many vineyards and terraces for olive trees.

Our mouths were full of song like the sea and your head rose as the Carmel

Nishmat Kol Chai, Shabbat Siddur

Song of Songs 7:6

Inspired by Matisse’s snail, Tel Aviv is the colourful and vibrant city that never sleeps with white sand beaches where Nachal Hayarkon flows into the sea. Bauhaus architecture and a skyline of skyscrapers face the West.

I will arise and go now wandering the city, in the markets and through the streets

Song of Songs 3:2

Dedicated to Iris & Bernard Stone of blessed memory and Cissie & Paul Rosefield of blessed memory by their families with love and grateful thanks

Dedicated to Helen & Jack Linden of blessed memory. Always in our hearts. By their son Brian, daughter-in-law Clare and grandsons Daniel and Jonathan

JAFFA

A mixed city. There are fishermen’s boats departing the port where the story of Jonah and the whale begins. The old city has a clock tower and Shuk Hapishpishim – a flea market. It is said you can buy flying carpets in the Turkish Shuk. Cyril was a great lover of Persian carpets. Outside the town, Jaffa oranges grow; on the hill stands a minaret with a crescent moon in the sky. This window is a prayer for peace.

ישפנ הבהאש תא השקבא ויתאצמ אלו ויתשקב

I asked for the one my soul desires, I searched but I could not find him

Song of Songs 3:2 (cont.)

A holy Shepherdess watches over psychedelic sheep and Rachel’s Kever on the road to Hebron. The hills are terraced with olive trees, cypress and almond. Many streams flow in the valley. The village of Ein Karem – Spring of the Vine – is overlooked by the Chagall windows.

םיזעה רדעכ ךרעש דעלג רהמ ושלגש

Your hair is like a flock of goats flowing down from Mount Gilead Song of Songs 4:1

In memory of Harry & Ruth Kissin and their grandson Jeremy Singer from Robert & Lesley Kissin

Commemorating West Central Liberal Synagogue founded by the Hon. Lily Montagu, and much loved members, Dr Leo Hepner, Israel ‘Izzy’ Benjamin and Tony Myers

JERUSALEM

The stones of the old city are golden with narrow lanes and rooftop walks. Cypress trees grow as the road ascends. There is the colourful market of Machane Yehudah and the poetic neighbourhood of Nachlaot; an olive tree at its heart, a symbol of peace and wisdom.

DEAD SEA

An ancient and mysterious landscape, salt circles, healing water, black mud and Bolanim – deadly sink holes. Nachal David starts from a spring in the Judean hills, turns into waterfalls at Ein Gedi then merges with the Dead Sea. Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt. Masada stands on the horizon.

רואו תשוחנ

Towers of gold, we will make for you, myrrh, frankincense, copper and light

Song of Songs 1:11

Song of Songs 3:6

Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold), Naomi Shemer

High mountains for the Ibex, my feet conquered the path, deep in dew

Psalms 104:18

El Artzi (Toward my Land), Rachel Amok BaTal (Deep in Dew), Leah Goldberg

Presented to the Community by Gina & Alan Sanders and Elaina & Gerald Rothman

And dedicated to Beinush Keidan & family of blessed memory by Milton Woolf and family

Dedicated to Keith & Ruth Gilbert of blessed memory by their children Helen Ward & Harry Gilbert

The family of Hyman & Rebecca Silverstone by Jonathan & Lucy Silver Racheline, Solomon & Gilberte of blessed memory by Annabel & Jason Bartfeld

Hilliard & Ray Leibowitz of blessed memory by their children and grandchildren

MITZPE RAMON

We see the seven wells of Beer Sheva and the colourful cliffs of Mitzpe Ramon on the edge of the extraordinary crater which used to be the Thetis sea. The moon waxes behind a mysterious woman emerging from the desert. The ibex dream of Israel and stone

Rujums mark secret ways.

רבדמה

ןשע תורמיתכ

Who is she who rises up from the desert, like a plume of smoke

Song of Songs 3:6

HaMidbar Medaber – the desert speaks. Date palms abound. In the skies there are the infinite stars of Avraham’s dream and the moon is full. הליה

The moon returned crowned with light, and a basket full of stars

The Moon (Love Sonnets), Leah Goldberg Amok BaTal (Deep in Dew), Leah Goldberg

Dedicated to my grandmother Emma, of blessed memory, who steadfastly defeated life’s darkness by her own light my grandmother Sophie, of blessed memory, who passed in the pandemic but whose generosity and spirit of unity live on and all who have given their lives fighting for women, life, and freedom by Silke Noa

Dedicated to Bertrand Ivan Lipworth of blessed memory by his parents Sir Sydney and Lady Lipworth

EILAT

The Red Sea and her reefs teem with coral, colour and life. On the shore, the bright city of Eilat offers a view into Sinai and the gateway to the South. The starfish is in memory of my father, David Baum z”l.

The Synagogue on Abbey Road

The Synagogue was built in 1880–1882 for the St. Johns Wood Orthodox community at the cost of £12,000. From 1913 to 1964 it was the seat of the Chief Rabbi – who lived nearby at Hamilton Terrace. Slender white columns and cornices, restrained Egyptian palmates and lotus flowers on the ceiling combine to create an elegant and restrained interior. There is both air and light in abundance – giving a generous feel to the interior. Externally, the building is set back from the street and the entrance is highlighted by an arcaded portico - making a statement of quiet confidence about Jewish emancipation. Its orientation is unusual; northeast to southwest – not towards Jerusalem.

Draw me after you and I will come running, In the river, I am the prayer

Song of Songs 1:4

The Moon Sang to the River, Leah Goldberg

Dedicated to Pamela Fialko of blessed memory by her loving husband, children, grandchildren and in-laws

Corinne Burton of blessed memory by Sir Michael Burton and their family

Stanley & Shula Cohen of blessed memory by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

The architect, Hyman Henry Collins FRIBA, was one of the first Jewish architects practicing in Britain. This is the largest of his six executed synagogue projects and the only one that has survived. The style was described as ‘Italian, with Byzantine feeling.’ It was originally designed to seat 490 worshippers, but was enlarged in 1890 when the Bimah was moved from its central position to be integrated with the Ark. Some saw this as evidence of German Reform thinking and as the beginning of a new trend in Synagogue interior design. By the mid-1950s, the building could no longer accommodate its membership and a new community centre and Synagogue was built on Grove End Road (1957–1964). The Abbey Road building was sold with planning permission for redevelopment as a block of flats to E Alec Colman –who at the ‘eleventh hour’ sold the building to the newly independent congregation of New London Synagogue.

The officers of NLS had the wisdom to appoint the late Professor Sir Misha Black to advise on the redecoration.

Anne Cowan

The Hillman Windows

Previous stain glass windows at this location were designed by David Hillman. Hillman was the son of the head of the London Beth Din, and became the most active Synagogue stain glass window creator of the twentieth century, working until his death in 1974. His designs are to be found in numerous synagogues, including Egerton Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb and the Central Synagogue. The windows originally installed here, are still beloved and installed at St Johns Wood Synagogue, now located on Grove End Road.

The Abbey Road windows were special to Hillman. He was resident in the area, in Priory Road where he also had his studio, and was a member of St. Johns Wood Synagogue. He designed nine triptyches, each focusing on a different festival theme. His style, including many Hebrew texts, indicates deep Jewish knowledge – he was an ordained rabbi, but gave up the clerical profession for a life of art.

Unlike most windows of this sort, Hillman includes images of people and half-hidden faces, surprising given the prohibition of ‘graven images.’ He also includes depictions of ceremonies, festival foods and meals, as well as representations of musical instruments and flowers which are described in various parts of the Bible and Scriptures.

One of the Abbey Road sets, the Rosh Chodesh set, were installed in a major ceremony by the Maida Vale Zionist Society in the mid 1950’s, in honour of Israel’s first President Haim Weitzmann, Theodore Herzl, and Israel’s first ambassador to the UK, Eliyahu Eliash.

Professor David Newman

Thank you to

The family of Cyril Korn for the lead donation

The dedication level donations of

The family of Pamela Fialko, Sir Michael Burton & family, the children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren of Stanley and Shula Cohen of blessed memory, Sir Sydney & Lady Lipworth, Silke Noa, Helen Ward & Harry Gilbert, Jonathan & Lucy Silver, Annabel & Jason Bartfeld, the children and grandchildren of Hilliard & Ray Leibowitz, Gina & Alan Sanders, Elaina & Gerald Rothman, Milton Woolf & Family, the trustees of the West Central Liberal Synagogue, Robert & Lesley Kissin, Brian, Clare, Daniel and Jonathan Linden, the families of Iris & Bernard Stone and Cissie & Paul Rosefield, Ruth, Ian & Jeremy Rosenblatt and Tessa Laws, Stefan, Rebecca, Louis & Noa Isaacs, the family of Coral Samuel, Susan Elizabeth Slesinger & family and the Rechtman family.

The community donations of

David Lubin, Kate Freed, David Lewis, Lionel Frumkin, Robert Gore, Emil & Anthony Landes, Matthias Boizard, Margo Schwartz, Charles & Chen Dalah, Rabbi Jeremy Gordon & family, Clive & Hilary Ross, Ben Marks, Elizabeth Keidan, Joshua & Natasha Rosen, Rodney Hornstein, Michael Grenfell and families.

And our anonymous donors

Thank you also to

Lead Contractor & Consultant – Andrew Moor

Operations Manager – Phil Ashleigh

Lighting – Spanlight International

Graphic Design – Uri Berkowitz

Project Management – Frank Rogers

Installation – Prism Glass

Redecoration – Zenelaj Construction

Please return Synagogue copies of this booklet to the back of the sanctuary after use. For personal or digital copies, please see www.newlondon.org.uk/ cyrilkornwindows

New London Synagogue

33 Abbey Road

London, NW8 0AT

020 7328 1026

office@newlondon.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1133578

Company No. 7030491