‘Spirit’ in Light and Glass

MONROE, NJ — The synagogue in the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe has taken on a new air of spirituality with the installation of 18 new stained-glass windows.

Ten large windows and several smaller ones depict a portion of the Sh’ma prayer and contain allusions to mitzvot associated with the late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

The windows, designed by Maurice Mahler of Monroe, were dedicated June 27 at Shabbat services to coincide with the 15th yahrtzeit of Schneerson.

Mahler, a leading artistic executive at several major Manhattan advertising firms over a span of 40 years, now teaches art history at Rutgers School of Continuing Education and life drawing in Monroe’s adult education program.

“The artwork really embraces you when you come to pray,” said Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky. “The whole concept is very dignified and beautiful.”

The windows were made by Harold Barr of Monroe; Jacob Roitman of East Brunswick arranged for the installation. Among the mitzvot depicted are a mezuza, giving tzedaka, studying Torah, keeping kosher, and putting on tefillin.

Mahler said he was inspired by his longtime affinity for Kabala, the teachings of Chabad, and his own roots in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where the hasidic movement is headquartered.