“To find Mishkon, look for the big shade tree!” (Speculation)

THE MOST PROMINENT LANDMARK for directing people to our historic sanctuary is usually overlooked. Yet it is literally right in front of our eyes! It is the big shade tree. This tree stands out, because it is the largest and best-looking one for 1½ blocks in every direction.

Furthermore, it stands out far more than Mishkon’s building, which is set back from the street.

Below the jump, this post shows the relative prominence of this tree when viewed from the north and south. Then it addresses how turn that prominence to our advantage.…

Neighbor asked to treat our south wall with care (Activity Report)

LAST FRIDAY, I noticed that a pallet was leaning against Mishkon’s south wall. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Anything that touches our wall is a matter of concern—admittedly minor, yet still significant. That green, 20-mil-thick silicone coating is the only thing that is keeping rainwater out of our building. And it is not easy to patch up that coating after it has been scratched or chipped.

So I wrote to the office of our neighbor, with the following request:

Can you perhaps ask your staff to avoid doing anything that risks marring the waterproof coating on that wall? 

I note this simple act here, because in future years—given possible staff turnover—the request will probably need to be repeated on occasion. 

 

Acquisition of photo of façade on 1948 Dedication Day (Announcement)

THE ONLY IMAGE that we have of our historic sanctuary’s façade as it looked on Day 1 was acquired just this past week, on 12/20/2024. (The 2003 Historic Structure Report was not aware of any photos like this one!)

Among the details that are visible, it shows a portable sign leaning against our building, which announces the dedication ceremony on 9/26/1948:

The cost of procuring a license for this image from the Santa Monica History Museum was donated by a generous Mishkon member. 

Below the jump, this post provides the full photo, plus a few words about it.…

Facilities management principles — and strategic budgeting (Statement)

STRATEGIC BUDGETING is about prioritizing funds for the efficient use of capital resources. The Building & Grounds Committee strives to set its own priorities accordingly.

Standard facilities management principles are what determine the order of priorities. And in Mishkon’s case, our sanctuary building’s status as a historic-cultural monument is also a factor. 

Generally speaking, our attention and money is best spent/invested in the following order, starting with the most important.

1. Life-safety (e.g., fire exits)
2. Integrity of the building envelope (against threats from: water intrusion, termites, earthquakes)
3. Important systems (whose failure would greatly disrupt normal activity)
4. Preventative maintenance, and improvements with a good return on investment (e.g., energy savings)
5. “Historic-cultural monument” status: attend to the “character-defining features”*
6. High-priority improvements (that would make the biggest difference)
7. Low-value maintenance

*In other words, which of these distinctive features, if they were restored, would have the biggest positive impact? Which of these features, if they were not preserved, would be the biggest loss to Mishkon and to Venice?

 

Why is this list important? 

Because if it is not followed, we are likely to end up with unhappy outcomes: catastrophes that were preventable, more money spent than was necessary, disruptions in our programs and services, undue burdens on our staff, etc.

Note that any visible “building improvements” — the exciting changes that you may be dreaming about — do not show up until #4 and #6 on this list!

DISCLAIMER: The above statement of principles and priorities is that of our committee only. It has not been officially endorsed by the board of directors. 

The shade tree’s roots are burgeoning (Condition Record)

OFTEN IT’S HARD to notice the changes in Mishkon’s circumstances over time. Occasionally, however, it’s easier. In the case of the shade tree in front of our sanctuary building, I happen to have snapshots over a 3½-year period. Taken together, they show a noticeable progression.

December 9, 2024
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post documents the changes during the period of monitoring. It also briefly discusses the implications.…

Repair of concrete retaining wall in stairwell, below school building (Activity Report)

WHILE A CONCRETE-REPAIR CRAFTSMAN was doing repair work elsewhere on the premises in mid-September, he redid this old patch, as well. 

November 2023 
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

For a description of the problem, see HERE.

Below the jump, this post documents what was done, as well as how one resulting concern was handled.…

West wall of school building receives maintenance (Activity Report)

AS A FOLLOW-UP to my having noted in October the maintenance need HERE, I am pleased to record that our Director of Operations has arranged to have this wall painted, as part of a larger project in November. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

The quick turnaround is heartening. (Sometimes things do come together nicely!)

Below the jump, this short post documents the wall’s current condition via photos. They are meant to be compared directly with those in the previous post.

Front façade water intrusion repair and prevention (Completion Report)

THIS PROJECT was completed last month. It features several historically significant components of our sanctuary building’s façade. Therefore this post follows a report template in the 2003 Historic Structure Report, as recommended for all historic-cultural monuments. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post restates the basic need and documents the work done. For more background, see HERE.…

Hidden structural steel in the basement (Condition Record)

YESTERDAY, I discovered a steel post downstairs—like the covered columns in the Social Hall but in an unexpected place. 

This one came to light as I was taking photos of the lower portion of opened-up walls that had been damaged in June 2023 by a flood caused by a faulty sprinkler head. (That story is HERE.) I noticed that one vertical member looked more like metal than like wood.

Below the jump, I show annotated photos of our normally hidden post.…

Venting skylights in the sanctuary (Speculation)

YESTERDAY I HEARD a suggestion that venting skylights be installed in the sanctuary. This idea has great potential, so I have been mulling it over.

For illustration purposes only

Timing is critical. Because the roof membrane (surface) is slated to be re-covered relatively soon—summer 2025—this idea warrants immediate attention. If it were to be implemented at all, the skylights would need to be installed as the new membrane is applied.

To make that happen timely, someone would need to jump on this project right away.

Below the jump, this post briefly explores the venting skylight idea.…

Recurring vertical cracks in south wall (Condition Record)

There are three vertically oriented cracks on the interior south wall of our historic sanctuary. Each of them has distinctive characteristics, so they may well be from different causes.

Our painting contractor has offered to patch and cover over these cracks, which he considers to be relatively trivial work. That is likely to be done this month. [Yes, done on 11/22. —DS] We both expect that the cracks will recur. Yet without a better understanding of their cause, periodic patching seems to be the best we can do.

Below the jump, this post documents the nature of the cracks.

Completion and maintenance of south wall waterproofing project (Activity Report)

ON OCTOBER 29, our waterproofing contractor for the sanctuary’s south wall tied up the last remaining loose end, in the project it had begun the previous summer. It did so in conjunction with its annual maintenance visit. At least, the south wall project is complete!

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post documents both aspects: the waterproofing installation, and the maintenance.…

West wall of school building needs maintenance (Condition Record)

LAST PAINTED IN 2007, which was 17 years ago, the west wall of our school building is in need of a little lovin’. In retrospect, it should have been repainted a decade ago. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

This wall has been neglected because almost nobody except the staff ever sees it. Meanwhile, the afternoon sun and sea breezes have taken their toll.

Below the jump, this short post documents the wall’s current condition, with three annotated photos.

Social hall ceiling: what to do (Speculation)

THE CEILING OF our historic Social Hall, according to my recent assessment, has some missing and loose acoustical ceiling tiles.

Ceiling tile gets taken for granted, but it matters a lot. The acoustical ceiling has a significant impact on our experience of being in the Social Hall. By absorbing sound, it reduces the ambient noise and echoes that would otherwise make the cavernous room a difficult place to be in, especially when crowded with people. So it warrants our care!

Below the jump, this post ponders the best course of action. It reflects solely my own opinion.… 

Floor tile exposed by removal of fixtures (Condition Record)

AFTER THE BASEMENT FLOOD in June 2023, the restoration company removed the water-damaged wooden bar and cabinets at the southwestern corner of the Social Hall. That effort exposed what lay beneath those fixtures. Namely, the same vinyl flooring from 1948 that is prominent in the sanctuary and that underlies the Social Hall.

(As usual, click/tap on a photo to enlarge it.)

Photos taken Oct. 2024

In other words, the Social Hall’s vinyl flooring had been installed prior to construction of the wooden fixtures—rather than the other way around.

This flooring has been shown more than once to contain asbestos. Which is why we do our best not to disturb it—and to inform workers, so that they can take precautions. Or if it is to be disturbed, that work must be handled by a licensed abatement contractor.

Social hall ceiling (Condition Record)

AS PART OF reviving the Social Hall, it has been proposed that the ceiling be repainted. At the same time, our reserve study specialist has proposed replacing the ceiling tile altogether (at a cost of $20K), for the sake of aesthetics. Both of these ideas have prompted me to look upward and assess the condition of our acoustical ceiling tile.

This post documents my initial assessment, including 14 photographs. 

Asbestos/lead report after June 2023 basement flood (Condition Record)

ON OCTOBER 15, Mishkon received a copy of the report from a Limited Asbestos and Lead Assessment Survey that was conducted on June 23, 2023. (If we had received this report previously, it got waylaid due to our staff turnover shortly thereafter.) The testing was done by TRUST Environmental Solutions in Camarillo, as engaged by Tri-Tech Restoration, which cleaned up the basement flood.

This post discusses the report. Apparently for the first time, the kitchen flooring was sampled. Overall, the results were unsurprising.

Step-by-step approach to waterproofing the steps: Part 2 of 3

THIS IS THE SECOND in a series on how to address the following urgent problem:

During heavy rains, our historic sanctuary’s front steps leak water, which soaks the concrete substrate below the steps, which in turn drips water onto the ceiling of the rooms beneath it in the basement.

Missing grout of front patio along sidewalk, 8/30/24
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Given the sandstone’s age, modest state of deterioration, and inherent instability, as well as the absence of waterproofing during initial construction, the fix is not simple or straightforward. Below the jump, I discuss the second of the three steps involved.…

Four possible sites for a lift/elevator: FEEDBACK REQUESTED

THE IDEA OF having an elevator in our sanctuary building is attractive in theory. Yet fitting one into an existing (and historic) building would not be easy. In fact, it’s looking to be darn difficult! 

So far, architects have suggested four possible sites in our sanctuary building as potentially workable for a Limited Use / Limited Access (LULA) elevator. That’s the smaller type that is suitable for retrofits in existing churches and synagogues.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.  If you are a Mishkon member, then upon request I will provide you with a memo that shows the four proposed sites (on the floor plans of the two main levels) and then outlines their relative benefits. Each location has its advantages and disadvantages. 

If you care where this elevator might go, then get in touch with me soon! (Use the Mishkon directory if need be.) After you understand the options, I want to hear from you.

Once a functionally optimal site becomes more clear, we can gather cost data; and then there will be something for the ad-hoc planning committee to consider in its prioritizing—and perhaps ultimately something for the board to discuss and vote on. Until then, all of this is merely exploratory.

—David Stein

Step-by-step approach to waterproofing the steps: Part 3 of 3

THIS IS THE CONCLUSION of a series on how to address the following urgent problem:

During heavy rains, our historic sanctuary’s front steps leak water, which soaks the concrete substrate below the steps, which in turn drips water onto the ceiling of the rooms beneath it in the basement.

Front steps of our sanctuary, Feb. 2023, prior to installation of fence/gates
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

In May, the board agreed to authorize this project “as funds become available.” Since then, I have been finalizing plans. Below the jump, I discuss the last of the three steps involved.…

Step-by-step approach to waterproofing the steps: Part 1 of 3

THIS IS AN UDPATE of a post from 2½ years ago, “Water Intrusion Under Front Steps — Not Yet Stopped,” in which I described a longstanding issue that has been progressively moving up our list of priorities, until it has become currently our most urgent one. The problem can be summed up like this:

During heavy rains, our historic sanctuary’s front steps leak water, which soaks the concrete substrate below the steps, which in turn drips water onto the ceiling of the rooms beneath it in the basement.

Front steps at the 1948 dedication of our sanctuary.
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Back in 2022, I was stymied regarding a long-term solution. Contractors had made various suggestions, none of which were practical (such as “rip out the sandstone, waterproof the substrate surface, and then reinstall the sandstone”).

Then in May of this year, I wrote about the problem again because I thought we were close to engaging a certain vendor who had touted a particular sealant called Creto DPS. On that basis, the board agreed to authorize this project “as funds become available.” Now, Creto DPS does seem to be a much better and more permanent sealant than what masonry contractors typically apply to flagstone. However, that vendor flaked out—which in hindsight is fortunate. Why? Because I have learned a lot since then. Now I am preparing to do things rather differently.

Perhaps I still have a lot to learn, yet it finally seems as though a resolution is at hand. The right combination of expertise, materials, and funding may be coming together. Below the jump, I discuss the first of the three steps involved.…

How to make the preschool facility more functional

OUR PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR has requested that we modify the school building by putting a door in one wall and removing some storage shelving. 

Below the jump, I describe April’s idea. (NOTE: This is a speculative post that is exploring a possible project; no funds have been allocated at this time.)…

Update on the storage room idea

IT TURNS OUT that there is competition for the otherwise unused space above the stairwell! In addition to the storage room idea that I described previously, it could be used to augment the play yard.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, I discuss the second idea. (NOTE: This is a speculative post that is exploring a possible project; no funds have been allocated at this time.)…

Help Wanted: Organizer for storage spaces

AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY, is it a surprise that we have accumulated a lot of stuff? Things that will be useful again for a similar event, or that might be handy someday, or that was once useful but has become obsolete.

If you have a good head for spatial relations, just think of the sense of accomplishment you could have after taking charge of our storage spaces! Our stuff needs a little lovin’.…

You can inventory what we have, decide what to keep, and assign all those things a place that is recorded somewhere.

In addition to the clutter, we do have some (partially) empty cabinets and closets. Well, what should go in those spots? Maybe you know the answer.…

If this challenge grabs you, please talk with Fleming, our director of operations.

Sittin’ on the portico by the bay (Speculation)

ON MAIN STREET in Venice, on a lovely Shabbat afternoon, with a gentle breeze, and a view of the Bay when you stand up! Yes, the portico of our historic sanctuary—protected by its colonnaded overhang—seems tailor-made for sitting down to enjoy a pleasant Kiddush lunch.

What would make that a realistic option? Currently I am working on treating the portico’s flagstone with a special sealant that is said to offer three benefits: permanent waterproofing; hardening the stone; and superior stain protection. That would be a game-changer, in my view.

Once that sealing task is done, we can look into acquiring an appropriate set of chairs and small tables that can be set out on the portico while food/drink is served.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

As the above drawing shows, we could comfortably seat 8–12 people there. (The dark ovals represent people, and the lighter ovals represent tables.)

In addition to being enjoyable for us and our guests, it would be the best kind of advertising. Being visible out on the portico would show passersby that Mishkon is not only alive but also thriving.

Seated on the portico at the top of the steps, at a level 6′ above the sidewalk, would be a relatively secure place to eat. And if our security guard prefers it, the front gates could be (mostly) closed for added security, while people are seated at those tables.

(NOTE: This is a speculative post that is exploring a possible project; no funds have been allocated for tables and chairs at this time.)

Storage space out of thin air?

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, one of the biggest barriers to the productive use of our facilities is the shortage of storage space. Things that we use only occasionally (such as holiday items) keep getting shoved into corridors and corners of rooms —and other places where they don’t belong — because they lack a true home where they can be stashed.

Below the jump, this post describes a potential storage spot on our premises that has been identified by Guillermo Groisman, a retired architect and general contractor — and a friend of Mishkon. (NOTE: This is a speculative post that is exploring a possible project; no funds have been allocated at this time.)…  

Awning replacement

AS WE PREPARE to refurbish the façade of our historic sanctuary building, it seems appropriate to also re-cover the awning with a fabric whose color will better match the forthcoming color of the wall. The current color is royal blue.

Below the jump, I discuss the various considerations.…

Summary status report on our facilities needs

STARTING A NEW fiscal year, with some new officers and directors, let us take stock of where we stand. From this vantage point, our recent accomplishments and imminent projects are taken as givens. What matters most are the challenges that we have yet to address.

The focus in this post is not on making improvements per se, but more simply on attending to what we currently have, beyond routine maintenance. I further restrict my focus here to items that are not obvious. (Which excludes repairing the flood damage in the basement.) This gives us our baseline for moving forward beyond this summer’s projects.

Below the jump, this post sums up the needs of our facilities major areas of concern. The list is not exhaustive. What is listed here alone will cost more than $180K. Most of the expenditures have been discussed by, and authorized by, the board of directors.

Status report on minor water intrusion

ASSUMING THAT this summer’s planned projects will be successfully completed, there are three minor remaining water-intrusion issues. At least, to my knowledge they are minor or probably under control. (Still, this topic matters attention because water is a threat to the building’s structural integrity — and can ruin interior finishes. If not addressed timely, repair costs balloon quickly.) 

Below the jump, this post lists and briefly describes the three remaining issues.

Our synagogue and the Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA)

IS OUR SYNAGOGUE EXEMPT from the A.D.A., as a religious entity? Yes and no. While our own programs are exempt, the activity of any non-religious body that rents space from us appears to be subject to the A.D.A.

Hence our ability to lease our (downstairs) facilities depends upon our accommodation to A.D.A. requirements.

Below the jump, this post excerpts the more formal language on the official website ada.gov.

Degradation of plaster wall at our southwest edge

TWO WEEKS AGO, I hosted the representatives of two waterproofing companies. It prompted me to take a more careful look at the plaster-covered concrete wall at the southwest corner of our property. Its degradation is now obvious, as the result of water damage. It took a big hit this past winter.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post discusses the condition of what I am calling the “southwest edge” of our sanctuary property.…

Documentation of basement evidence of water intrusion from the south wall

ON MAY 31 while in the Social Hall, I noticed that there was cracking in a certain section of ceiling, and blistering paint and cracking on the wall near the ceiling. This water-damaged area is located below the south wall of the sanctuary. Presumably rainwater has run down from above. 

Is the damage evidence of leaking during this past winter? Or is it a holdover from before we had the south wall waterproofed last July? Unfortunately, I do not know the answer, because I did not think to take baseline photos in the basement at the time of the waterproofing project. (Live and learn!)

So now going forward, we need to monitor this area carefully after each rainstorm. Taking periodic photos and testing with a moisture meter would be advisable. And to that end, this post—below the jump—documents the present state of things.…

Ventilation and air conditioning in the rabbi’s office

OUR RABBI MAY WELL be the biggest beneficiary of the security windows that were installed in December. I’m not talking about protection from potential attacks. I mean on a more tangible, everyday basis!

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post explains why I say so.…

Strategy for reviving the Social Hall (Speculation)

RECENTLY WE RECEIVED an insurance settlement to cover repairs to the basement spaces that were damaged by water from a defective fire sprinkler. Given that we not only want to fix the torn-up walls but also create a space that we can readily use (and even rent out), what steps should we now take toward reviving the Social Hall, and in what order? 

Below the jump, I sketch out an integrated approach—which represents my opinion alone. I am not speaking for Mishkon as a synagogue.…

Scope of work for concrete repair (Summer 2024)

BELOW THE JUMP, this post describes certain concrete-repair and waterproofing work that is needed due to water damage. 

Anti-corrosion primer applied during a repair to south wall in 2023.
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

The following description is intended for the contractors whom I am asking to bid on the job.…

Color scheme for sanctuary façade walls

THE WATERPROOFING CONTRACTOR is being engaged mainly to coat the vertical wall surfaces. Painting certain other elements of the façade is incidental—but still necessary. (Otherwise, they will look bad by comparison.) 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post explains our intended schema. (It was updated on 7-31 from the original 6-17 post, following another on-site meeting of the color committee.)…

Color formula for the Half Hailstorm wall paint (rev. 8/2)

AS NOTED ELSEWHERE, I’m pursuing this color for the main walls, because it meets the project criteria, and it was the Color Committee’s first choice. 

According to Chris Williams, the owner of CertaPro of Santa Monica, who works with Sherwin-Williams paints, the color composition of Half Hailstorm is as follows…below the jump.

Exterior color schemes as proposed by the Ad-Hoc Color Committee

THIS POST RECORDS the color treatments for exterior walls, as proposed last summer by Roberta Tishman’s color committee, together with their consultant from Sydney Harbour Paint Company (SHP). 

The committee was given two criteria to guide its efforts: 

• the wall color must be as light as possible, so as to last as long as possible and need as little maintenance as possible; and 
• exploration should start with the light green that was original in 1948. 

The committee came up not only with a main wall color as requested, but also with a variety of accent colors, arranged in three related color schemes.

The colors mentioned are standard colors in the SHP palette. Our office has one set of 8"x8" swatches of most of them.

Below the jump, I record the committee’s recommendations, for posterity, while providing links to online swatches. (The color displayed will depend upon your device.)…

Fire safety and restoration efforts

As we begin to prepare for a (series of) rehabilitation projects in the sanctuary building’s basement, it’s worth thinking carefully about fire safety. Surely we wish to ensure that our plans will satisfy City officials. Furthermore, we also want to see that the construction work itself doesn’t start any fires.

Helpfully, a section of our Historic Structure Report (2003) is devoted to these topics. It quotes from two documents by the National Fire Protection Association, titled “Recommended Practice for Fire Protection in Historic Structures” and “Standard for the Protection of Cultural Resources Including…Places of Worship.” Below the jump, this post will share some highlights from that section.…

Historic marker is registered online

OUR HISTORIC SANCTUARY BUILDING has been entered into an international online database of historic markers. A nice page is devoted to our marker HERE on HMdb.org, which even gives its exact coordinates:

33° 59.879′ N, 118° 28.712′ W.

As for the rest of the content of the page about our marker, some of it is taken directly from the City’s plaque (which the write-up calls a “historic marker”)that we mounted on the sanctuary’s outside wall in 2021.

Mostly, however, it is taken from our poster (which the write-up calls an “interpretive sign”) inside our marquee sign, titled An Anchor for Venice / Ocean Park. 

In short, this website relates our history in terms that we ourselves have defined.

By the way, our marker has lots of company on that website. The Historic Marker Database currently lists such markers in 105 nations, including a total of 11,602 in California and 197,362 in the Unites States.

Accessibility versus historic preservation

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS that came up during a recent planning tour of the premises was: “How is Mishkon expected to trade off the competing considerations between making the building more accessible to mobility-challenged persons and preserving it as a historic-cultural monument? What do the relevant laws, codes, and preservation guidelines tell us?”

 

When questions like this arise, I consult the Historic Structure Report (“HSR”; 2003), because that is exactly what an HSR is for. As the National Park Service noted in 1991, “Historic Structure Reports are reference documents for the purpose of minimizing the loss of significant [historic] fabric during restoration or rehabilitation work.” 

Below the jump, this post summarizes what our HSR has to say on the matter. 

Water Intrusion Under Front Steps — A Possible Approach

IT MAY BE POSSIBLE to stop water intrusion through the sanctuary’s front steps, after all. (This is a follow-up to my post of 2-7-22, which I updated on 7-18-22. Later that year, I met with a vendor who described to me a proprietary process, and he sent me ballpark pricing. 

Front steps in 1948 (building dedication)

On the strength of that proposal, our board of directors recently authorized a certain expenditure for this work, as funds become available. Below the jump, this post briefly describes the proposed approach.…

Fixing water intrusion in the basement’s southeast corner room

ONE OF THE TWO areas of known, active rainwater intrusion is located in the basement, on the eastern side, in the corner “furnace room” (B-04A). Sometimes this space is called the mechanical equipment closet. Anyway, during a few days of downpour, water percolates through the unfinished concrete wall in two places, and it collects in puddles on the floor. 

Wet spot on wall in corner.
Nearby on the left is a wooden post.
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

I have not previously mentioned this case, because it pales in comparison to the previously discussed cases of water intrusion. Mainly because this case occurs out of sight of nearly everybody. Nonetheless, any such water still threatens the long-term integrity of the concrete, not to mention nearby structural wood. Below the jump, I briefly discuss a few considerations.…

A new guess as to why a sprinkler head suddenly failed last June

LAST JUNE, a sprinkler head in the kitchen downstairs suddenly broke open, flooding the area with water — even though no significant heat was present in the vicinity, let alone an actual fire — as reported in this post. At the time, I speculated that the head had deteriorated over time, until it just failed catastrophically.

Since then, I and others (especially the insurance company, so I hear) have struggled to explain why that particular sprinkler head would have been the one to burst. Below the jump, I discuss a factor that recently occurred to me, which I don’t think has previously been considered.…

Kitchen vent hood(s) in our future

MISHKON REPORTEDLY OWNS a huge kitchen vent hood that is presently sitting upstairs in the Powerhouse building. Hopefully, we may soon be striving to get rid of it, as part of concluding the sale of that building. 

This is a long shot, but that hood might have some trade-in value (at a restaurant supply outfit) for the hoods that we ourselves need to procure. We need at least one of them — arguably two — as part of reviving our Social Hall as a space that we can productively use and perhaps even rent out.

This post briefly our hood-related needs, as they were outlined in the 2003 Historic Structure Report. 

Using a circuit breaker as a light switch

STRANGELY, the only way to control our sanctuary’s overhead lighting (the 20 pendant lamps) is with a circuit breaker. There’s no ordinary light switch for this purpose.

Below the jump, this post explores the significance of this arrangement. Is it prudent?…

How many Torah scrolls are kept in usable condition?

HAPPILY, several of our members care deeply about our Torah scrolls. During the past year, they have worked assiduously to keep some of the scrolls in good repair.

That being said, I’m not sure that all of the stakeholders are in agreement as to how many scrolls we actually need to be usable, at any one time — and thus whether we currently need to be spending time and money (scarce resources) on further repairs.

Below the jump, I explore these two related questions.… 

What are those round disks along the top of the façade?

AS WE PREPARE for our waterproofing contractor to refresh the stucco of the façade (and then cover it with an elastomeric coating) this summer, my attention has been drawn to the 8 disks displayed across the front of our sanctuary, near the roof line (see photo). 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

 
“What are those disks?” I have been wondering. Are they aesthetic features, or are they structural elements? If structural, what are they made of, and what is their internal structure? Does their integrity need to be checked periodically? 

The Historic Structure Report (2003) used the label “seismic plates” to describe them. So that’s the label I used in annotating the photo, above. Below the jump, I share my doubts that this label is correct.…

Revealing “new” photos from the 1948 sanctuary dedication

UNTIL TODAY, I had never known what the façade of Mishkon’s sanctuary looked like when the building was dedicated on 9/26/1948. But now I have come across the thumbnail images of two photographic negatives in the online archive of the Santa Monica History Museum. They held several surprises!

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it—
although in this case it’s a low-resolution image.)

This archive actually holds 15 film negatives of that auspicious day at Mishkon some 75 years ago — including of the Torah procession and the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Given their glorious detail, they seem to have been made with a large-format camera. All of the images appear to differ from what is now in the possession of our synagogue.

Below the jump, I will focus on the building-related facts that I gleaned from examining the online thumbnail images.…