Limits on construction noise in L.A. (Background Report)

CONSTRUCTION-RELATED NOISE is forbidden by law within the City of Los Angeles (i.e., at Mishkon) before 7:00am or after 9:00pm. That is, any such noise that is loud enough to disturb nearby residents. It includes the delivery of construction materials. (LAMC 41.40a)

Such noise is likewise forbidden within 500 feet of residential buildings on Sundays, as well as on Saturdays or holidays before 8:00am or after 6:00pm. (LAMC 41.40c)

Mishkon does have neighbors who reside nearby: next door, across the street, and down the street within 500 feet.

For details (and the penalty for violation), see the municipal code:

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-128777#JD_41.40.

Historically significant features in the Social Hall and main corridor (Background Report)

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES of our historic sanctuary building were identified in the Historic Structure Report (2003; “HSR”). These are the aspects that warrant historic preservation, in the eyes of architectural historians.

Below the jump, this post excerpts from here and there the HSR to describe and list the historically significant features in two spaces that some members are reportedly eyeing for decoration. As named in the HSR, those spaces are known as the corridor (B-01) and the Social Hall (B-02). 

Historically significant features of our main-floor restrooms/lobby (Condition Report)

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES of our historic sanctuary building were identified in the Historic Structure Report (2003; “HSR”). These are the aspects that warrant historic preservation, in the eyes of architectural historians.

Below the jump, this post excerpts from here and there the HSR to describe and list the historically significant features in the four spaces that have been assigned the highest priority for rehabilitation/renovation. As named in the HSR, those spaces are known as the ladies’ lounge, ladies’ restroom, men’s restroom, and the narthex (lobby). 

Would the planned alterations meet Code for accessibility? (Speculation)

THE STATE HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE provides alternative minimum standards for alterations of qualified historical buildings or facilities. The section for accessibility can be found HERE. 

Our historic sanctuary building does qualify for the allowances under this code, according to our 2003 Historic Structure Report. And now that we are contemplating genuine alterations—not merely repairs or rehabilitation—it seems timely to explore what the applicable accessibility standards are. 

Below the jump, this post explores three aspects of the accessibility standards and how they would apply in our situation.…

Before altering our school facility, we must notify state gov’t

BECAUSE WE HOST a preschool, one stakeholder that we need to keep in mind is the state Department of Social Services. 

Last week, our preschool director pointed me to California’s Child Care Center General Licensing Requirements. 

In particular, Title 22, Division 12, Article 7 is about the Physical Environment. This is the section that pertains to our building-and-grounds concerns. It begins (emphasis added):

1. Prior to construction or alterations, the licensee shall notify the Department of the proposed change(s). 
2. The Department has the authority to require the licensee to obtain a building inspection by a local building inspector if the Department suspects that a hazard to children's health and safety exists. 
3. Prior to construction or alterations, state or local law requires that all facilities secure a building permit. 

The above are among the conditions for retaining a preschool license.

Governmental bodies and a front fence/gate (rev. 6/8/23)

FIVE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES get mentioned as possibly having some sway over a fence/gate in front of Mishkon’s historic sanctuary building. 

Below the jump, this post discusses each one — and what I know about its relevance to our situation.

City oversight of cultural-historic monuments

ACCORDING TO THE LOS ANGELES Cultural Heritage Ordinance, the Cultural Heritage Commission is vested with the responsibility to preserve the city’s monuments. The full text of the ordinance is available here.

This post outlines the Commission’s duties and procedures with regard to its oversight of monuments, drawing upon the ordinance itself and brief comments by the city’s preservation architect.

Showing our true colors: Painting choices

WE ARE GETTING CLOSE to applying new surface finishes to our sanctuary’s outer south wall, and to our main sanctuary hall. Which leads to a question: What should their surface colors be?

Below the jump, this post discusses both surfaces—exterior and interior.

How to fund the purchase of new High Holy Day maḥzorim

IN THE PROCESS of research what is the highest and best use for kosher Torah scrolls that Mishkon is not immediately using (a subject for another day), I came across a way to finance the replacement of our synagogue’s outdated maḥzorim with the Conservative movement’s newer (2010) edition — namely Maḥzor Lev Shalem, edited by Rabbi Ed Feld. 

In order for this Torah scroll to be usable again,
this passage had to be patched in 4 places.
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Given that acquiring such prayer books has been high on our synagogue’s wish list for some years now, let me share what I just learned. It involves certain of the Torah scrolls in our possession, and ironically it relies upon their status as imperfect and otherwise unusable.…

Decorative painting (murals) on the sanctuary’s eastern wall

MUCH OF THE ORIGINAL ARTWORK from 1948 is currently hidden behind two coats of paint in our sanctuary. However, it is the intent of our most preservation-oriented member that those decorations be uncovered in a future restoration effort. In the meantime, let’s take care not to damage them further!

Detail from underneath the Decalogue frieze, as seen in a 1948 photo
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

This post recaps what is known from the 2003 Historic Structure Report (HSR) and from old photographs. Let’s start with the photos.…

A Front Fence for Mishkon’s Sanctuary?

This post points to my article in the Winter 2022 Galim, which I wrote on 1/9/22. 

https://www.mishkon.org/galim-blog-winter-2022.html?post_id=1297101

(Otherwise, given that Mishkon's website doesn't archive past issues of Galim, you will no longer have access to that article after the next issue comes out.)

Furthermore, that article references a slide show of wrought-iron fences in front of 16 synagogue façades, in chronological order from 1794 to 1921. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the link given is not active. So here is the intended link:

https://ia601508.us.archive.org/8/items/synagogues-and-wrought-iron-fences.-survey-slides.-9-jan-22/Synagogues_and_Wrought-Iron_Fences.Survey_Slides.9Jan22.pdf

How Do We Honor Our Historic-Cultural Monument?

Originally published in the High Holy Days 5782 issue of the Galim (Sept. 2021)

EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO, the L.A. City Council declared our sanctuary building to be one of the city’s historic-cultural monuments. Not only is it the oldest continuously occupied synagogue space on the city’s West Side, but also it is a reminder of the significant role of Jews in the history of Venice in particular. Plus it’s a special place. Built in 1948, the façade displays Classical Revival–style features that were typical of that era. It resembles the synagogues of the Land of Israel in Late Antiquity. Meanwhile, the interior design reflects classical European Jewish artistic traditions of sanctuary decoration: a folk-art style full of iconographic details (e.g., lions).