El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-12-08
6C~HIs is none other than the
house OF God"

(6"hlS Is none o1nsr thaH inc
house of God"
With this inscription, taken
from Genesis 2s;I7. the new Temple
Mount Sinai, at Oregon and Montana
streets. which viii be dedicated this
evening, proclaims its mission
II is a well furnished house Of God.
Il transcends the ordinary conception
of a church. place where men and
women congregate for formal worship
It Is a house Of the community. in
order that it may be better house of
Cod. In il. men and women and chill
dren may meet TO work ouC their civic
and social aims; in it, they may
strengthen and refresh their bodies, as
well as enrich their minds
y community hall; a gymnasium
equipped with a stage, a moving picture
booth, and shower and locker rooms.
seven Sunday school class rooms and
a kindergarten room. a large Kitchen
for "sOcials,' and boys and girls club
rooms-theSe are some of the appur-
renances that one does not expect 10
find IN the traditional church.
Tradition Set Aside.
From the very beginning the temple
was conceived in 2 spirit that chafed at
tradition. Instead of begging for help.
the first instinct OF most church build
ing committees. the body OF men in
charge Of the erection Of the edifice
did not go outside or the congregation
for assistance The congregation Of
Mount Sinai can well say This IS
our work. whatever else il stands for,
f. stands for us.
The building is a massive structure
OF red brick, and contains three floors
and a half basement On the Oregon
street side where the main entrance
IS located. repIcaS OF the shield of
David. the six pointed star, form part
oI the decorative design The seven
branched candiestick Of Solomon's tenn
pie, the only eNtant model of which
csndlestick is To be found in the tri-
Umphal arch Of Titus in Rome, is also
reproduced.
Auditorium Indirectly Lighted.
The main auditorium, where the
of departures from the usual style OF
his type of hall It represents the
first attempt ever made in Fl Paso 10
illumine an auditorium by reflected
indirect light. Running along the up
per lengths Of all the walls there are
small coves. in which there are $50
lights, which shed their glow on the
congregation By means OF powerful re-
Electors The ACQUISITION ceiling gives
almost perfect acoustics
over the pulpit hangs the perpetual
light Of Jewish worship. On either
side, there is a tablet containing the
first word OF the commandments and
reproduction Of the seven branched
candlestick eliminates the rostrum.
ABOVE the pulpit stretches the organ
and choir loft. in which an organ cost
ing $1,000 will be installed
In the rear Of the auditorium, there
IS an entrance balcony with a seating
capacity of about $50
On the Elrst floor there are also the !
offices of rabbi Martin Zielonka and
his secretary; the hardwood floor coin
munity hall. which will be open 10 !
general public use, and which has a 1
seating capacity OF about 500. The /
second floor contains the seven class /
rooms, which viii also be used for com
Inittee meetings All seven rooms open |
INTO hall that leads TO an emergency /
fire escape.
Gym in Basement.
The basement contains the gymua-
SUM, which is floOred with hardwood. I
!; Inc DIMENSIONS OF this room are -
Dy Il Ieets and the ceiling is IS feet
nigh Adjoining is z storeroom WITH 1
the moving picture booth. The stage
AZ thH other end of the room. is
EQUIPPED with footlights and two rows
OF overhead lights Il viii be able !
20 handle adult as well as children-s |
plays In the basement, there are also I
the boiler room. which VIII supply the |
building with steam heat. the billiard (
and pool room, the janitors quarters, |
the vault for the congregational rec /
ords, and the boys and girls play !
rooms In connection with the girls Z
room, there are = kitchen and re-
lring room The congregation estab-
.ished the first children'S club founded /
IN FL PasO, 12 years ago. There are !
rest rooms for men and women scat
tered throughout the building
Congregation Has Grown.
me congregation OF Mount Sinai has
Kept pace with the growth of Fl Paso
The old building, dedicated i years
ago. one year before rabbi Zielonka
took hold cost $4,000. including the
site; the present temple, when com
1letely furnished. viii cost from
10000 70 $4,000. AT the beginning
)f DR.. Zielonka's pastorate. the con-
g egatlon numbered about so the pres !
snt mem bershIp is 1su