Tour of Art Collection and Judaica

Part of the Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield. An introduction and docent led tours of the Judaica art collection. Jewish ceremonial art forms a large part of Judaica, because enhancing a mitzvah by performing it with an especially beautiful object is considered a hiddur mitzvah – a praiseworthy way of honoring God's commandments. In 1858, approximately 20 early Jewish settlers formed the Springfield Hebrew Congregation. In 1917 the present neo-classical style building was designed by Robert Bouillard. Rabbi Meyer Abramowitz was chiefly responsible for the temple’s art and Judaica collection. Other types of liturgical art in the collection are manuscripts, books, artworks and clothing.