Thirteen years ago, at the first “baby naming” celebration of Congregation Shir Shalom, temple member Julie Diamond promised to have a new banner made for the sanctuary in honor of her daughter, Sasha Honigman’s Bat Mitzvah. At the time, a blue banner covered the cross during services in the sanctuary the First Congregational Church shared with the newly-formed Jewish congregation.
This summer, on the eve of Sasha’s Bat Mitzvah, a new banner was hung in fulfillment of this promise. The banner celebrates Sonoma and Jewish heritage and symbolism with rich and detailed imagery while paying homage to the temple’s growing congregation and Rabbi Jack Gabriel.
Following the Bat Mitzvah the church displayed the banner for its own Sunday morning services. Today, it hangs in honor of all future B’nai Mitzvahs, as well as the entire Jewish congregation which celebrates, learns, and prays in the sanctuary. The banner, entitled, “Dove of Peace Over Sonoma,” was created by Nina Bonos. Bonos is an award-winning artist from Santa Rosa who has specialized in Judaica art since 1991. She works in deep, vivid jewel tones and bold compositions. She reproduced the images on the banner from a watercolor painting.
Bonos brought her expertise in art, architecture and historic preservation to the design of the immense 7-feet by 12-feet banner. Its shape is reminiscent of the Ten Commandments, as well as the stained glass window that graces the First Congregational Church sanctuary. The Shir Shalom logo of a dove with a music note flies over golden rolling hills dotted with barns and lush green vineyards. Grapevines become the Hebrew letters for Chai, “To life!” and pomegranates represent the Torah. The imagery is highlighted by a moon the represent the Valley of the Moon.
The realization of this project was made possible by Julie Diamond, Lori Bremner, Carol Marcus, Bill Willers and the membership of Congregation Shir Shalom.The congregation will hold a dedication of the “Dove of Peace Over Sonoma” banner on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary at Congregation Shir Shalom, 252 W. Spain St.
The public is invited for this special event and renewal of the sanctuary. For more information, please contact info@shir-shalom.orgTo see more of Nina Bonos’ Joyous Judaica and other artwork, please visit her Web site at ninabonos.com.
