Our synagogue holds many items that have special significance to our Congregation. Some have been donated or lovingly crafted by members of our Congregation. Others remind us of milestones in the life of the synagogue and its members. Each has a story.
Our "tour" begins . . .

As you enter our building, you will note a large wooden sculpture above our Donor Board. This beautiful piece was commissioned at the time the building was constructed. Our Donor Board recognizes those who have given, and continue to give, so generously to allow our synagogue building to remain beautiful and functional.

Down the east hallway are plaques commemorating the Mordechai & Esther Awards, given each year to those congregants who have given extraordinary service to the synagogue. Also displayed here is the Joe & Ida Rotcher Award, given for exemplary Board Service. Pictures of past presidents of CBT's Board line the facing wall, next to our library. A visit to the library (which is always open) reveals a wealth of fiction, non-fiction, reference, and children’s literature, as well as videos and audiotapes. The library also holds the synagogue’s archives: each year’s happenings preserved in news clippings, photographs, flyers, and other milestone documents of the synagogue’s history.

The doors to our sanctuary, representing a seven branched menorah, were a gift to the Congregation from B'nai Tzedek's Sisterhood.

Our Sisterhood also gave the Congregation the wonderful stained glass window that graces our sanctuary. It has become one of the hallmarks of our synagogue. The beautiful glass panels depict the Jewish holidays and festivals, as well as the symbol of Justice.

Central to our bimah (at the front of the sanctuary) is the Ark and Ner Tamid (Eternal Light). The parochet (curtain) inside the Ark is designed according to the description of the Tabernacle in Exodus 36:6. "...blue, purple, and crimson yarns; into these they worked a design of cherubim."

Inside the Ark are our three Torah scrolls. Temple Jeremiah in Westchester, California, gave the first sefer (scroll) to B'nai Tzedek upon its becoming a new congregation. The second scroll was a gift to the synagogue from a B'nai Tzedek family on the occasion of their son becoming a Bar Mitzvah.

Our third Torah was commissioned and written in honor of Congregation B'nai Tzedek's 25th Anniversary in 2001. The beautiful artwork on the sanctuary's north wall depicts the Five Books of Moses and commemorates the writing and dedication of this newest Torah as well as the contributions of so many congregants and friends who made it possible.

On the right side of our bimah wall are the words "Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof" – “Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue”. Congregation B'nai Tzedek is committed to pursuing justice in synagogue life as well as in society at large. B'nai Tzedek means "Children of Justice."

On the left side of the bimah wall are the words "Marbeh Tzedakah Marbeh Shalom" – “The More Justice, the More Peace”.

Our Simcha Tree hangs on the north wall of the sanctuary. This Tree's leaves, acorns, stones, and mini-trees commemorate many of the wonderful events in the lives of our Congregants, including birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and b’nai mitvah .

We commemorate those who have gone before on the opposite wall of the sanctuary. Wood panels holding engraved Yahrzeit memorial plaques surround the illuminated sculpture of the Burning Bush.

The sanctuary pews hold the “Mishkan T'filah” siddurim (prayer books) and copies of the Plaut “Torah: A Commentary” chumash. Many are inscribed with names of those who have kindly donated them.

The west hallway is lined with the annual pictures of B'nai Tzedek's Confirmation classes, bringing back wonderful memories of children now grown. Oh, how the years have passed! Here one also finds the Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop, main office, and Social Hall. Upstairs are the Religious School classrooms and additional offices.

Even our gardens have special meaning! In the small grassy area at the northeast corner of the parking lot grows a real fruit bearing etrog tree (just in time for Sukkot!).

We hope you will take your own actual tour of B’nai Tzedek. There’s always much to discover!