Temple Beth-El’s mammoth 60-foot tower is made up of colors and shapes of stained glass that bring light inside even on the darkest of days.
“Even on a rainy day, it’s like the sun is shining,” said David Kronick, former 32nd District assemblyman of Hudson County, current director of the temple, and commander of the Jewish War Veterans Post.
As Kronick stared up at the tower, he noticed a piece of glass dedicated to the Blum family. The family was among the major donors who helped make the tower a reality when it was erected atop the early-1900s house of worship from 1959 to 1960. Another piece of glass says thank you to Fabian Zaccone, the artisan who outfitted the tower in stained glass in the late 1960s.
“Even on a rainy day, it’s like the sun is shining.” – David Kronick
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Unfortunately, over the years, that history was compromised by wayward baseballs or by random acts of vandalism that shattered the glass, said Kronick.
With the help of Jersey City artist Barbara Miese, Kronick recently restored those panes back to Zaccone’s original vision.
The renovation of the tower has been an ongoing project. This year is the 50th anniversary of the construction of the tower and of a past renovation of the temple.
“It’s surreal,” said Kronick, staring up at the glass vortex.
A confusing history
Kronick said that the Temple Beth-El building was originally Woodcliff Reformed Church in the early 1900s. Woodcliff Church purchased land a few blocks away on Palisades Avenue in the 1920s and moved there.
Temple Beth-El was formed in 1927. The temple has been modernized and renovated several times over the years.
“It’s very confusing,” said Kronick. “A friend of mine from [Woodcliff Reformed Church] told me … that they brought the land from another temple.”
Kronick said very few people are still alive who remember the history behind the two religious structures.
Restoring history
Miese, who restored the stained glass, first met Kronick on a historic tour through the factory section of downtown Jersey City. But it was some time until the temple had the funds and reached out to Miese’s business, Art Builders, in Jersey City. Her business does everything from restoring stained glass windows to selling paintings.
Miese took some smaller window panels to her studio, where she repaired them with new glass or reinforced the cracks with lead. Kronick pointed out that although the patterns were slightly different, Miese stuck with the pattern that the original artist had in mind.
“It’s always sort of a new beginning,” said Meise about restoring historic stained glass. “It’s sort of a continuation. It’s making it perfect again, as it was when the artist first created those windows, and I tried to stay very true to his design.”
Meise praised Zaccone’s design and said that many Hudson County artists had done remarkable work in temples and churches throughout the area.
Unfortunately, she said, many of these religious buildings, like a church she is currently working on in Newark, have fallen into disrepair, leaving financially stressed congregations scrambling to fix them.
“I was just overwhelmed by the beauty, of the colors,” said Miese. “There are no tall buildings [in the area] and light comes in at all angles. He chose colors that would show up in overcast. Tones were kept bright and low.”
Looking toward the future
Kronick is now faced with other problems that need solving. While they were able to afford the restoration of the glass panes, the congregation of Temple Beth-El, like others throughout Hudson County, is shrinking.
Kronick has orchestrated community cultural events at the temple, like flamenco dancing and senior nights, and was recently recognized by the Jewish Community Center of Teaneck for his work. He will receive a stipend from them to aid the temple.
Beth-El also receives funds from homeschooled children who use one of its rooms for their studies.
He’s not sure how the future will play out with the financial obstacles ahead of him, but Kronick says he’s not short of ideas.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.