Thought it rarely rains on the High Holy Days, the meteorological mazel wasn’t there for Greenwich Reform Synagogue’s Topping Off ceremony on Friday.
Nevertheless, the construction crew gave the green light for the ceremony to proceed. A crowd of more than 60 gathered to sign the beam and watch it being hoisted into place.
Brief remarks were made by GRS co-presidents Marc Abrams and Wendy Schreiber, Selectman Drew Marzullo, and Rabbi Andy Sklarz.
The “Topping Off” ceremony at Greenwich Reform Synagogue on Sept. 30, 2016 Contributed photo
The “Topping Off” ceremony at Greenwich Reform Synagogue on Sept. 30, 2016 Contributed photo
The “Topping Off” ceremony at Greenwich Reform Synagogue on Sept. 30, 2016 Contributed photo
All present signed the beam, then watched and cheered as a giant crane raised the beam high into the sky, then set it into place.
A long-standing builders’ tradition, the topping off ceremony celebrates the placement of the last steel beam into the construction of a building. This beam typically is painted white so that members of the community and the construction crew can sign it before a crane hoists it into position.
After the installation of steel beams, the GRS construction schedule includes the placement of the wooden roof trusses, roofing the building, installing the windows and siding, followed by the completion of all interior elements by the spring of 2017.
This will be only the second purpose-built synagogue in Greenwich’s 375-year history. It will be located on Orchard Street in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich and will include a sanctuary, social hall, classrooms, and offices in just over 12,000 square feet of space. The architectural firm of Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC created the design. For more details and to RSVP, please contact Stephanie Glaser at [email protected] or call 203-629-0018, ext. 1001. About Greenwich Reform Synagogue (www.grs.org)
The “Topping Off” ceremony at Greenwich Reform Synagogue on Sept. 30, 2016 Contributed photo
Greenwich Reform Synagogue was founded in 1976. GRS provides a flexible, progressive environment for prayer, study, celebration of Shabbat and Jewish holidays and for all life cycle events. GRS’s mission is to be a spiritual home that is welcoming to all, and to connect the congregation through friendship, tradition, community and love. GRS is a member synagogue of the Union for Reform Judaism.
See also:
Greenwich Reform Synagogue Congregants Celebrate Sukkot on Orchard St
Greenwich Reform Synagogue vs Cos Cob Neighbors: It’s All Over But the Shouting
Greenwich ZBA Gives Greenwich Reform Synagogue Settlement a Thumbs-Up
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