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). 

Proposed HVAC system for Social Hall (Speculation)

AN EXPERIENCED H.V.A.C. CONTRACTOR submitted today a proposal for a two-stage HVAC system for the Social Hall. The installed cost of a ventilation system would be $28,000. Later, we could add heating and A/C for another $21,600, plus the cost of electrical work. Subtotal: roughly $50K. 

I asked for this bid because the Ad-Hoc Committee on Capital Priorities recently named such ventilation one of its top five items:

“The Social Hall should once again become an integral part of Mishkon’s life. [It] needs new ventilation and heating.”

Below the jump, I describe the elements of the vendor’s proposal and discuss them, including related options.…

Cylindrical white room air purifiers (Condition Report)

THE ST. JOSEPH CENTER recently donated several air purifiers to Mishkon. 

Below the jump, this post documents the main features of these units. It also points to the online user manual and other resources.…

Looking into possible funding from a Perenchio Foundation grant (Activity Report)

A PASADENA-BASED FOUNDATION is requesting grant applications from organizations like Mishkon. They want to fund capital improvements that will support the arts locally. 

In their own words, “We welcome applications from non-arts organizations based in L.A. County that maintain robust, year-round arts programming and seek to strengthen their arts-related infrastructure.” 

Below the jump, this post sums up my investigation into the grant program and its requirements. It then discusses how Mishkon could meet those requirements. To be honest, I had not previously thought of Mishkon in terms of its engagement with the arts, so this exercise has been eye-opening for me. 

(N.B.: We still need someone to champion our grant application. Might that be you?)

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Capital Priorities, as submitted 2/3/25 (Activity Report)

THE COMMITTEE WAS ASKED to provide the Board a list of priorities for the use of funds currently held in the Mishkon Tephilo Capital Improvements Fund (at Morgan Stanley). The committee was informed that approximately $400,000 was deposited into this fund from proceeds of the sale of the Powerhouse property and the bequest of Larry Kasdon.

(So begins the report. Below the jump, the remainder is given verbatim.…)

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.

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.…

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.…

Goals in the grant application

THIS POST is the 4th and last in a series of 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 describes the time line of the grant program, our proposed scope of work under this grant, and the main components of our total fundraising goal. 

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. 

Elevator? More precisely, a lift

OUR GOAL IS to get one or two people at a time from the sanctuary (Hampton Drive gate) level down to the Social Hall and back up again — a vertical distance of about 13 feet. It turns out that the right device for that purpose is not an elevator but rather a lift. Specifically, a vertical platform lift (VPL).

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

Below the jump, this post discusses my first foray into the world of VPLs.…

A fluke and a flood downstairs

RUBEN TELLS ME that yesterday, he and a plumber were in the process of restoring gas service to the sanctuary building. (Why the gas had been off for a month is a story for another time.) They were in the downstairs kitchen’s closet, bleeding air from the gas line to the water heater. Suddenly, they heard a loud pop and a whoosh. 

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

This post describes what happened next, and its import.…

Another pass at ventilation in the Social Hall

TODAY I took another look at a key section of the Historic Structure Report (HSR), namely its comprehensive analysis of the mechanical (air handling) system in the Social Hall, as of 20 years ago. Potentially good news there, with regard to our being able to provide decent ventilation in the era of covid-19, at least when the weather is mild. It may be practical for us to safely use the room, after all!

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

What I hadn’t realized before is that even though the Social Hall’s furnace no longer works, the supply fan might still be able to provide ventilation to the hall and kitchen. 

Air Filtration Options for the Social Hall, Revisited

WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS for providing safe ventilation in the Social Hall? When it comes to preventing the spread of covid-19 infections, how does the performance and cost of the following options compare? 

1. Off-the-shelf filtration units sold for commercial use
2. Off-the-shelf filtration units sold for residential use
3. Do-it-yourself filtration units (assembled per a proven design)

This post offers some tentative answers.