Tree of Life

at Temple Israel, Portsmouth, NH

Two local synagogues had merged, and a Tree of Life from one was to be redesigned for installation in the chapel at the consolidated Temple. The challenge was to utilize the set of commemoration leaves already mounted on Plexiglas backings in the new setting nestled into a corner where three different walls meet. It needed to fit and fill the space, be an artistic and sculptural interpretation of an olive tree, accommodate the existing wainscoting, and compliment an Ark of the Covenant which Cooper had also built several years prior in an opposite corner of the room. The Ark features columns and panels in its design, and inscribed Hebrew lettering. The result is as you see, successfully accomplishing all those goals.