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During a special Minyan service on May 18, the community unveiled a new aron kodesh that will be used to store its Torahs. The ark was created by students in the Upper School鈥檚 Jewish Crafting & Fine Arts class.

"They wanted to make something that would be enjoyable to see every morning, that would inspire us all, and that would express the centrality of Torah in our minyanim and in our lives," Morah Becky Friedman said.

Students spent time outside of school to design the ark, which was repurposed from an old TV cabinet. A woodworking group measured the piece for interior parts, used a power saw to cut the wood to size, and installed a back wall and 鈥渟afety belts鈥� to keep the Torahs secure.

The artistic components of the ark were inspired by two midrashim that students learned in class. A hand-painted flame motif on the outside of the cabinet, for example, represents a midrash that suggests that the Torah is like fire.

"Just as fire spreads around, Torah should surround us and warm our lives as well," student Eitan Guy said.

The second midrash used to inform the design says you should not go more than three days without praying from the Torah, much like you should not go more than three days without water.

"We made the [ark's curtain out of] a shimmery blue fabric to further symbolize the Torah being like water," student Shayna Barak said.

The community recited a prayer to sanctify the ark, blessing it for further holy use. Both students and staff were grateful to have a custom piece of artwork that will be enjoyed for many minyans to come.