Community
Deutsch donation creates Zippori
pavilion with fifth-century mosaic.
A
richly ornamented fifth-centu-
ry synagogue mosaic in Israel's
Central Galilee is the center-
piece of a new pavilion whose
construction was made possible by the
family of Detroiters Bernice and Alfred
Deutsch.
The pavilion, in the Zippori National
Park, was opened at a dedication cere-
mony honoring the Deutsch family,
which co-sponsored the construction
with the Israel Ministry of Tourism.
Robin Deutsch, Bernice and Alfred
Deutschs granddaughter, represented the
family at the dedication. It also was
attended by representatives of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
Israel Ministry of Tourism, Jezreel Valley
Regional Council, Israel Museum, Israel
Parks Authority and Hebrew University
Institute of Archaeology.
The Zippori National Park is in
Michigan's Partnership 2000 region,
where historical and ancient religious
sites abound. Through Partnership 2000,
the two communities have embraced the
national park as a historical, cultural and
educational arena. For the past four
years, Detroit's Federation has sponsored
summer excavations at Zippori with stu-
Clockzvise from top:
Zippori Synagogue Pavilion
introductory panel.
Interior of pavilion, showing
entire synagogue mosaic floor
with depiction of the binding
of Isaac in the foreground.
Portion of originalfifih-century
synagogue mosaic floor with
signs of the zodiac.
dents from the University of Michigan.
The mosaic floor was discovered in
1993 by a Hebrew University archaeol-
ogy team. Complex imagery of the
mosaic is composed of three major
parts: the Hebrew patriarch Abraham
and his son Isaac; a zodiac circle, and
the Tabernacle and Jerusalem Temple.
Chief Archeologist Dr. Zeev Weiss,
who co-directed the expedition togeth-
er with Professor Ehud Netzer, said,
"This find is one of the most impor-
tant remains of an ancient synagogue
to be discovered in Israel."
The pavilion, considered a crown
jewel among showcases of historical
sites, includes complete illustrations
and explanation panels that help the .
visitor understand the elaborate scenes
on the mosaic.
Family Plaudits
Benjamin Shalev, past director of the
Zippori Project and coordinator of the
Synagogue Pavilion Project, said at the
dedication ceremony, "The Deutsch
gift has helped make the Zippori experi-
ence more meaningful and emotional
with the addition of the Synagogue
Pavilion to the other attractions at the
site.
This isn't the first time the Deutsch
family has made a significant contribu-
tion to Israel and the Jewish community.
Recently, they created a $1 million
scholarship fund through the
Millennium Campaign for Detroit's
Jewish Future to assist low-income fami-
lies, who want to provide a synagogue
education for their children.
The Deutsches are lifetime members
and generous supporters of
Congregation B'nai Moshe in West
Bloomfield.
Alfred Deutsch was chairman of the
1967-68 Allied Jewish Campaign, dur-
ing the Six-Day War when the commu-
nity raised a record total for the Israel
Emergency Campaign."
❑
%TN
1/5
2001
33