Furniture Design

Lectern

Beth Tzedec Congregation

The shape of the lectern is a bent plane, relating to the planar architecture of the existing synagogue building.

Seven laminations of Douglas fir are used, representing the 7 days of the week. Six laminations, representing Sunday to Friday, are identical in colour; the left-hand lamination is stained a different colour, separating it visually from the others, representing the Jewish Sabbath. The left-hand side is selected because Hebrew reads from right to left. A copper dedication plaque is fastened to the top plane.

The top is angled at 18°, the number 18 being the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word "chai" (life).