Cincinnati's (former) Wise Center Windows: A Mid-Century Modern Surprise in a Majestic 1920s Building

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. Detail of the Israel Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

Cincinnati's (former) Wise Center Windows: A Mid-Century Modern Surprise in a Majestic 1920s Building
by Samuel D. Gruber

[Thanks to Andrea Rapp, Temple Librarian of the Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati, for help in researching this post. I  thank the congregants of Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church for welcoming my unannounced visit and allowing me access to the sanctuary.]

I recently wrote about Cincinnati's former Isaac M. Wise Center on Reading Road, built by Congregation K.K. B'nai Yeshurun in the 1920s to supplement use of the historic Plum Street Temple downtown was one of the first known instances (to me) of the creation of the "satellite synagogue/school" that could serve the needs of a congregation which had moved to a new neighborhood but was for various reasons not ready or willing to give up its much-loved older home. An addition to the 1920s center was built in the 1950s.

In 1968, a new program of stained glass windows were added, and these are an important example of mid-century modern synagogue stained glass. Though not of the order of Abraham Rattner's great windows at the Chicago Loop Synagogue, Ben Shahn's designs for Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, or Adolph Gottlieb's windows for the Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn or the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan, they should be considered along with the work of Jean-Jacques Duval as beautiful work by Christian stained glass artists for Jewish clients, who strove to adapt their more frequently commissioned work for churches to synagogue use.

In the late 1960s, rather than create a still newer center,  the decision was made to upgrade the existing auditorium with a new complementary mid-century modern look. The new Ark and windows, dedicated in 1968, were given in memory of Edward M. Marks by his wife, Mrs. Emma Marks and daughters Miss Janet Marks and Mrs. May Fechheimer. Possibly it was thought that by updating the Center's look in a more contemproary modern style that membership could be retained despite the changing demographics of the neighborhood. Jews left Avondale and moved further north, and the Wise Center was sold in 1971.

The Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church that purchased the building and maintains it well, and the congregation chose to retain much of the synagogue decoration, including the then very recent stained glass windows.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

John Burdick (1921-1997) and Otto Bauer-Nilsen were engaged as architects for the renovation. A new Ark was designed by Frank Francois, and new stained glass windows were commissioned from Herman Verbinnen (1932-1987). Rabbi Albert Goldman created the concept, and probably oversaw the selection of the unusual symbolism included in the window design. Rabbi Goldman had been promoted to Senior Rabbi of the congregation in 1966.

The Ark and twelve stained glass windows were not all that was new at the Isaac M. Wise Temple. In 1971 rabbinical student Sally Priesand served as a rabbinic intern to the congregation. A year later  she would become the first American woman ordained as a rabbi, opening a new era for American Judaism, and pioneering a new role for American Jewish women.

Stained glass artist Verbinnen, who was born in Belgium, was responsible for several important for the creation of several programs of stained windows for religious sites, especially in Southern Ohio where he worked for many years before his early death at age 55. In Cincinnati one can still see the monumental windows he created at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Madison Road and the windows of the Forest Chapel United Methodist Church at 680 W. Sharon Road. In 2016 his windows for the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the University of Dayton were removed.

For rabbi Goldman and the Isaac M. Wise Center, Verbinnen created 12 tall windows (6 pairs) in muted tones to fill the existing arched spaces. The windows consist of abstract designs of irregularly shaped but basically rectangular and trapezoidal colored panes, over which are laid painted symbols with Hebrew words and inscriptions. Some inscriptions appear backwards. It is not clear if this was intentional to allow some to be read from the outside and some from within, or whether some windows were installed backwards either originally or during later repairs.

I have not yet seen pictures of the original windows. Rabbi Goldman's concept for the windows was that they reflect many facets of the Congregation. 

The following descriptions are taken from a brochure published in 1971 at the time of the dedication.  It is a good thing the congregation published this, as it is doubtful most congregants would have figured out the meanings on their own. 

The photos are my own, taken on a quick visit in early November 2017. They correspond to the published descriptions.

Two windows form each of six panels, which trace the history of the Isaac M. Wise Temple, its roots, and its aspirations.

THE FREEDOM WINDOWS

The first represents American freedom. Fifty stars, the states, form an arc over the capitol building. The flame of the eternal light, marking the grave of John F. Kennedy, combines with these to symbolize the ideal and reality of freedom in America.

"And they shall seek the peace of the city (Jeremiah.)

The second panel shows the Liberty Bell, America’s chosen symbol of freedom from foreign rule, placed over a plate of matzah, the traditional Jewish symbol of exodus and freedom.

‘‘And they shall proclaim liberty throughout the land” (Leviticus 25:10)

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. The Freedom Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

THE CINCINNATI WINDOWS

The first panel shows the street of spires: an artist s concept of Plum St. as it stands, in the heart of Cincinnati. The spires of a Protestant Church, Catholic Church, the mosque-like spires of the Isaac M. Wise Temple, and the spires of City Hall mingle; showing the richness of variety which adds to the strength of Cincinnati.

"And they shall walk, each man, in the name of his God: (Micah )

The second window is a faithful picture of the Isaac M. Wise Temple on Plum Street built by this Congregation in 1865. This building saw the nourishment and growth of Reform Judaism, nurtured by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, and guided into the present. 

‘‘And we shall walk in the way of our Lord (Micah.)

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. The Cincinnati Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

THE FESTIVAL WINDOWS

These windows hold symbols of the major Jewish holidays. The first holds a Chanukah menorah, reminder of a war of liberation and a miracle wrought while giving thanks and praise to God. It contains a shofar, the ram s horn, which called the tribes of Israel together, and which has sounded on Rosh Hashonoh and Yom Kippur throughout the ages.

The second panel shows the Sabbath candles and the wine cup, which mark the seventh day of the week as a day of rest and worship, holy unto the Lord. The lulav, symbol of God’s omnipresence, and the etrog, symbol of bitter times, represent the Festival of Booths

"These are the festivals of the Lord." (Pentateuch)

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. The Festival Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

THE PEACE WINDOWS

The first Peace Window shows an open book on top of a broken sword, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge as a way of life over that of war.

The complementary panel shows the Torah, lifted aloft, depicting the joy and triumph of learning and know­ledge of the kingdom of God.

"Its way are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace " (Psalms)

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. The Peace Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

THE MARTYR WINDOWS

The mountain of the Lord, with a backdrop of flames, and the downcast people, surrounded by chains, depict the devastation of persecution. The chains and fire sym­bolize historic bondage, as well as the Nazi holocaust.

"For the sake of Thy Name."

The mountain, again, forms the background of the second panel. This shows people leaving through open gates, ascending the mountain with heads uplifted. The Mountain of the Lord, and the gates symbolize release and the pursuit of righteousness. These windows are dedicated to the memory of the six million who perished under the Nazis, and to the martyrs of the generations.

Open unto me the gates of righteousness. " (Psalms)

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. The Martyr Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.

THE ISRAEL WINDOWS

The creation of the State of Israel is celebrated in these panels. The first displays the official seal of Israel: the candelabra and the olive branch of peace.

"Israel".

The second shows the sun shining on the land of Israel. The shape of the state of Israel outlines the wheat sheaves, showing fruitfulness of a previously barren land. Ships and planes, headed toward the land, show the in­gathering of immigrants from all parts of the world,

And I shall build you and I shall plant you. "(Jeremiah)

Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Isaac M. Wise Center, now Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church. The Israel Windows. Herman Verbinnen, artist. 1968.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber 2017.