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The ner tamid (Hebrew for ‘eternal light’) is the lamp which burns perpetually in Jewish synagogues, shining light on the Ark that houses the Torah. The amethyst is surrounded by a panoramic view of Jerusalem, symbolising the spiritual light which emanated from the Holy Temple.
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LONDON (EJP)---The London Jewish Museum has acquired a new piece of contemporary Jewish ceremonial art designed by London-based Belgian artist Daniel Lehrer.
The ner tamid synagogue lamp, in silver and amethyst, will go on view in the new Museum’s religion gallery when it reopens in Camden Town in late Summer 2009.
The ner tamid (Hebrew for ‘eternal light’) is the lamp which burns perpetually in
Jewish synagogues, shining light on the Ark that houses the Torah.
Lehrer’s lamp design was created for the 2004 Spertus Judaica Prize Competition in Chicago where he was a finalist.
“Lehrer’s unique ner tamid lamp will complement the Museum’s rich variety ofartefacts and encourage interest in modern Judaica design. Through showcasing contemporary religious objects, the museum’s new galleries will demonstrate the vibrancy of Jewish life today,” said Sarah Harel Hoshen, curator of Judaica at the museum.
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Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Daniel Lehrer studied in London and gained a degree in Advanced Crafts in Gold and Silversmithing from the Sir John Cass College School of Art. After serving an apprenticeship with the renowned artist and craftsman George Weil, Lehrer set up his own workshop in Hatton Garden where he has received commissions from Royal families and heads of state for official presentation gifts.
His work has been exhibited at the Jewish Museum exhibition Judaica 2000, as well as at Goldsmiths Hall in 2003 and at the British Library SACRED exhibition in 2007. His Jewish ceremonial pieces are in synagogues and private collections in the UK and abroad.
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The artist’s design was inspired by thestory of the Burning Bush in the Bible. Hechose to reflect light through an amethyst stone to emphasisea feeling of permanence implied by the word tamid (eternal).
The amethyst is surrounded by a panoramic view of Jerusalem, symbolising the spiritual light which emanated from the Holy Temple.
Amethyst is also one of the stonesmounted on the breastplate of the High Priestin Biblical times. The lamp will be displayed in the new religion gallery, next to the museum’s 17th century Venetian Synagogue Ark.
Through its collections and its programme of exhibitions and education, The London Jewish Museum aims to explore and preserve Jewish heritage, celebrate diversity and challenge prejudice.
The museum is currently closed for a major expansion that will triple the space at theflagship Camden Town premises and integrate the collections, displays and activities of itstwo previous two sites under one roof.
The new museum will have enlarged exhibitiongalleries, new education facilities and hands-on displays for children and families.
