Micah Move Breakdown

Envisioning Our New Mikdash/Sanctuary

Temple Micah Mikdash/Sanctuary: Bimah View

We are at the point in our Move where planning and plans are coming together and we are almost ready to go forward with work on our new offices; interior and exterior signage; creating and installing elements that will allow us to feel at home when we use the large sanctuary and our new Mikdash/Sanctuary.

It is the Mikdash/Sanctuary space that will literally and figuratively be heart of our new home.  It will be (along with the office space) uniquely our space.  We have been given the support and freedom by our new partners to transform it into a Mikdash, a Jewish sacred space.

For the past two months the Space Committee has been working with our Interior Designer, Emily Sinclair, to craft a vision for this important part of our home.  After discussions with her that also included Board Members and members of the Micah community, the Space Committee has a design to share with you and a request for your feedback.

There are two ways for you to explore this design concept:

• ONLINE: In this blog post you will find three images (one at the top at the post and two below) and a Design Concept (written by Chuck Kessler of the Space Committee).    
• IN PERSON: You will also be able to see the Interior Design Concept Board (that has images and material samples) at Micah programs.  The Interior Design Concept Board will be on display at: (1) Shabbat Services on October 12, October 19 and October 26th at Temple Micah (2600 Leyden Street); (2) The Family Shabbat Jam on October 18th at Park Hill United Methodist Church (5209 Montview Blvd.); and (3) Religious School at Blessed Sacrament Middle School (1958 Elm St.) on October 13th and 20th.  You may also arrange with Elaine Lee or Brenda Bruno to come by the Micah office during the week to view the Interior Design Concept Board.

After you have had the opportunity to view the design concept for our new Mikdash/Sanctuary, the Space Committee wants to hear your thoughts about this proposed design.  There are a few ways to share your feedback:

• Write your thoughts in the comments section for this blog post at the end of the post
• Share your thoughts directly with to Sharon Thorson, chairperson of the Chapel Remodel effort; Mike Clapman, Micah President or to Rabbi Mo.
• Leave your comments in the 'Comment Box' that will be with the Interior Design Concept Board.

The Space Committee looks forward to sharing this exciting development with you and hearing your feedback.

Temple Micah Mikdash/Sanctuary: Entrance View

Temple Micah Mikdash/Sanctuary: Interior Design Concept Board

Temple Micah Mikdash/Sanctuary: Design Concept 

The concept behind the design of the new Temple Micah Mikdash/Sanctuary is to be both spiritual and reflective. Natural materials and earth tones have been chosen to create a space that is both contemporary in nature and indicative of the Temple’s philosophy.

The floor has been leveled to add flexibility within the space. The focus of the space is towards the bimah. However, the seating can be moved if necessary for other functions.

The new floor is a textured, commercial grade carpet to reflect the shadows of trees.

The vertical wood paneled elements which intersect with the dropped soffit create a sense of warmth to the space. These elements alternate with the existing stained glass windows to the east which will bring in natural light into the space. Within these horizontal and vertical bands, various types of lighting are incorporated in order to add flexible lighting options. These include, wall sconces, LED lights and pendant lights. All lighting can be adjusted for the activity which is occurring within the space.

The white tile walls will be at the entry of the chapel, the face of the bimah and the back wall creating a backdrop for the rabbi and the custom designed eternal light.

The space has been designed to be spiritual and reflective, It represents the essence of Temple Micah’s philosophy that all are welcome to pray in this sacred space.

Man Plans, God Laughs ...

Despite all of our intentional planning to gradually move into our new space at Park Hill United Methodist Church by the beginning of 2014, conditions conspired to present a different schedule.  As you may know, we ended up spending our first High Holydays at our new location for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 2013, not 2014.  All in all,  it was a great experience and went rather smoothly.  In addition to trying to beat the heat on Rosh Hashanah, we actually gave many people in the Micah community and chance to experience our future home.

So, taking advantage of that unintended, but worthwhile, consequence: What did you think?  Did you attend either Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur services at PHUMC?  If you did,  we invite you to comment below on this blog post and share your experience and observations about the space.

Getting Ready For Us

PHUMC begins its removal of the pews in the Babbs Memorial Chapel in preparation for our move in December of this year.  (If you like them, they are for sale for $50 each!)

Move Update from President Mike Clapman

by Michael Clapman, President, Board of Trustees

The Space Committee has been working hard to facilitate Temple Micah’s move. We expect to be moved into that facility by Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, two weeks earlier than originally reported. We moved up this date to accommodate the rabbi’s sabbatical, starting mid-January of 2014.


A number of tasks have been identified, and each one has been assigned to an individual or committee. Here is an update on some of those tasks:

• Large Sanctuary– Work continues on developing coverings for the stained glass windows. In addition, we hope to have movable room dividers that can be used to partition the large sanctuary to provide a smaller, more intimate setting. 
• Chapel Remodel — We will be receiving design proposals from up to four professional interior designers in the next few weeks. The chapel, if you recall, will be Temple Micah’s dedicated spiritual space and every effort is being made to design a space that reflects the spirit and essence of Temple Micah. 
• Signage — We expect to have at least one (and possibly two) Temple Micah signs outside the church building, depending on the City of Denver code restrictions. Inside the building, we will have a sign at the chapel and directional signs throughout the church building. 
• Lease Negotiations — We have been very pleased with the spirit of cooperation that we have received from PHUMC and expect to sign a three-year lease in a few weeks. In addition to the dedicated small sanctuary and office space, the lease provides for Temple Micah’s use of the Social Hall, meeting rooms and other spaces. All maintenance, set-up and clean-up for all our events and meetings is also included. 

Additional updates will be provided regularly. If you have questions or comments, please contact me atpresident@micahdenver.org or via the temple, 303-388-4239.

Meanwhile, keep in mind if you would like to have another opportunity to see our new home “in action,” plan to attendTemple Micah’s Potluck Picnic for all members and prospective members from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at PHUMC.

NOTE: If you missed or want to review the 2013 Annual Meeting… Read Temple Micah’s 2013 Annual Meeting Minutes, compiled by Brian Silverman, as one of his last tasks as temple secretary before his elevation to vice-president.