Congregation Or Shalom to dedicate mural Oct. 23

In the past, Congregation Or Shalom students have climbed the staircase to their religious school classrooms surrounded by blank white walls.

However, as the Jewish New Year begins, students and their parents will experience a new path as a mural project depicting scenes from the Torah that has been underway since the beginning of summer. A special "grand opening" dedication for Simchat Torah is planned for Oct. 23 at Congregation Or Shalom, 21 Hawthorn Parkway, in Vernon Hills.

"I began to envision the stairway walls as a blank canvas that could come alive to provide an educational experience," said Or Shalom education director Marcia Cohen. "We have two hours a day to impart as much knowledge and excitement about Jewish learning as we can. Our time is so precious; I believe we cannot waste a single second."

This stairway mural, created under the artistic direction of Grayslake resident Lee Loebman, not only illustrates the Torah as it unwinds from the Creation and story of Genesis through Deuteronomy, but also created a community. Many congregants helped participate to bring this project to life.

"I like to tell a story with my artwork as well as make it educational, not just a pretty picture. This seemed like a perfect fit," Loebman said. "It tells the whole story of the Torah in order. (However), given the size of the project, I knew we needed to find people in the congregation to help with the project."

"This was completely an all-volunteer community effort where people gave their hearts and souls and worked on it as a labor of love," said membership engagement coordinator Nancy Trudell. "This project got people involved and really excited."

The center upper staircase landing remains the last component to be completed, and will involve a multimedia representation of the crossing of the Red Sea.

Cohen plans to use the stairway "journey" as an opportunity for additional learning through a scavenger hunt to explore sections of the Torah. Cohen also envisions welcoming church groups to view the staircase mural.

"We often have visitors who come to experience Sabbath worship and to see an actual Torah scroll. We will give them the opportunity to view the stairway mural as these Bible stories are something our faiths share," she said.

As Simchat Torah means "rejoicing in the Torah," the holiday marks the completion of the yearlong cycle of reading the Torah, and starting the reading anew. For more information, contact Or Shalom at (847) 362-1948.