What’s with the tarps on the front steps? (Activity Report)

JUST BEFORE each of the two big rainstorms this fall, Andrew Roth and I have covered the front steps (with Ruben’s help). We did so in order to protect them from the rain. 

Water will degrade sandstone that is unprotected. Rainwater also percolates through the steps into the concrete substrate—damaging it—and onto the ceiling of the basement spaces below. 

Unfortunately, even after years of trying, we have not managed to find an affordable and practical way to seal the flagstone and grout, and also reduce the water intrusion. (Out of curiosity, I did get a quote to fully waterproof the steps that would involve replacing all of the sandstone, at a cost of $164,000!)

We are still working on a solution—but in the meantime, a physical cover seemed like the least we could do, to minimize the damage. I don’t know whether we will keep this up, though.  

Below the jump, this post points you to 6 other posts on this topic.…

Entry accessibility plan for the sanctuary building (Activity Report)

AN ENTRY ACCESSIBILITY PLAN was required by the City as a prerequisite for doing renovations. Happily, ours has now taken shape. On October 23, our architect presented the draft plan to a civil engineer on the disability access team at the Department of Building & Safety (LADBS). She said that the concept seemed workable, given our needs and constraints. That not only clears the way for the planned restroom renovations, but also sets the course for significant accessibility improvements.

Below the jump, this post lays out our plan.… 

Has the board approved a full (wraparound) stairlift?

ANSWERING THAT QUESTION is a complex endeavor, because of the indirect way that the approval came about. The short answer is Yes: the board approved two related motions in February that together constitute approval of a full stairlift. One motion approved its upper half, and the other motion approved its lower half. 

What has puzzled some board members is the fact that the stairlift was not mentioned explicitly in the wording of either motion.

Below the jump, this post explains how it all came together.…

L.A.’s potential funds for shade-tree root pruning and hardscape repair (Background)

THE CITY OF L.A. runs a rebate program for sidewalk repairs that sounds great in principle. In practice, taking advantage of the offer is somewhat challenging. 

Sidewalk damage caused by “our” street tree

Below the jump, I outline how the program would work in our case, if we applied for a rebate.…

Update on the stairlift (Draft Proposal)

AS OUR ARCHITECT prepares to meet with City officials next month to discuss our entry accessibility plan, it is timely to revisit the stairlift component—which was introduced HERE (Feb. 12) and updated HERE (May 8). 

Again, the overall goal is to ease the entry to (and exit from) our sanctuary building for people who find stairs difficult. Our doing so is required in order to get building per­mits to make further alterations to the facility, such as expanded restrooms.

Below the jump, I give updates on three aspects: recommended equipment, cost, and the permitting experience of a nearby church.

Stairlift for accessibility to sanctuary from Main Street: Further thoughts (Draft Proposal)

SINCE FEBRUARY, when I proposed that we install a stairlift in our historic sanctuary building’s front stairwell (a move that shortly thereafter was independently suggested to me by Ed Geil), I have spoken with several more vendors of stairlifts. In the process, I have learned a few things.

Below the jump, I share the two biggest lessons learned, and their implications.…

A plan for entry accessibility (Speculation)

GETTING IN AND OUT of our historic sanctuary building cannot be done according to either the normal building code or the more lenient state historic building code, unfortunately. Yet surely our impending restroom expansion will trigger a review of the building’s entry accessibility. This topic must be addressed before we can proceed with that larger project. Therefore I have been working toward a draft plan for entry accessibility, while discussing the topic with several architects.

Ultimately, such a plan will need to be formally developed by an architect of record. However, I find that our building poses certain constraints that will inevitably guide that plan. Below the jump, this post discusses those constraints, and the remaining options.

Improving entry accessibility to sanctuary: Main Street side (Draft Proposal)

STAIRS POSE A CHALLENGE to many of our members and visitors. One option to increase accessibility is to install a stairlift. The prime location for a stairlift is in the front stairwell of the sanctuary building, between the street-level doors to Main Street and the lobby level. 

Below the jump, this post discusses a stairlift for that section of stairs, based upon my meeting with one vendor (for orientation).…

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.…

“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.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.)

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.…

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.…

Mishkon serves its community in many ways

THIS POST is the 3rd in a series of 4 excerpts from our application last week for consideration for a grant award from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a non-profit organization. 

Below the jump, this post lists some of the ways that Mishkon Tephilo contributes to our local community — and in return deserves support from that community. 

Significance of our sanctuary building: Historic, cultural, and architectural

THIS POST is the 2nd in a series of 4 excerpts from our application last week for consideration for a grant award from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a non-profit organization. 

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

Below the jump, this post sums up what makes our sanctuary building so special.

Waterproofing the façade on Main Street

THE BASIC PLAN for restoring the sanctuary building’s façade and eliminating water intrusion is outlined in this post. (The condition of the walls is documented in photographs HERE.)

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

Condition of the Main Street façade

THE SANCTUARY BUILDING façade on Main Street is due for restoration, given the longstanding water intrusion in the hallway. The same kind of problems that we found at the south wall are increasingly evident. They seem to be the result of two of the 1948 construction methods — namely, the lack of a weep screed and of a waterproof coating for the above-ground portion of the concrete foundation.

We know basically what needs to be done. Now it’s a matter of gathering the necessary funds, completing a contract, and arranging the logistics of the restoration work.

Below the jump, this post documents the present condition of the walls, via photographs. (As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)