Artwork, Hanukkah Celebrated

Two years ago, Beverly Hills artist Georgina Rothenberg envisioned her work: a sculpture of the hands of an elderly man passing on the Torah to the outreached hands of a child.

“L’dor V’dor,” the inscription would read in Hebrew: “from generation to generation.”

On Sunday, Rothenberg, 61, proudly presented the 24-foot brass sculpture to Sinai Temple in Westwood during a dedication ceremony that also marked the beginning of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which began at sundown.

The 5,000-pound sculpture is mounted on the wall of the temple, on the southwest corner of Wilshire and Beverly Glen boulevards. The work of Rothenberg’s hands took two years and hundreds of hours.

The location for the sculpture is ideal, said Rabbi David Wolpe, 43, because it reminds people to embrace religion, family and friends during these “scary and uncertain times for Jews, for Israel and for America.”

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a series of suicide bombings in Israel, people have clung to their traditions and values for comfort and solace, Rothenberg said. The sculpture imparts a meaning everyone can relate to, she said.

“It is particularly meaningful at this time of year because of Hanukkah,” she said. “But it is important in every religion because we have all gathered close with family to realize it is not monetary things that are important in our lives, but our traditions and values.”

Hanukkah, also called Feast of the Lights, celebrates Judas Maccabaeus’ victory over King Antiochus IV of Syria more than 2,100 years ago. It is commemorated by lighting a nine-branch candelabrum on eight consecutive evenings. In some families, the customs include prayers and offering small gifts or coins to children.

Nearly 1,600 families belong to the Sinai Temple, where Rothenberg is also a member. Temple members Sidney Pilot, a retired Beverly Hills lawyer, and his wife, Ruth, commissioned the sculpture.

As nearly 200 people gathered inside Sunday, Tiffany Khoubian, 11, and her sister Melody, 9, broke away from the ceremony to admire the sculpture. The two girls gazed upward at two pairs of giant hands. One pair was larger, textured with wrinkles and veins. The smaller pair was smooth with delicate fingernails.

“It’s an important symbol for Jewish people,” Tiffany said. “It shows this is a place where everyone gets together and prays and thanks God. [It’s important to thank God] because there are many events happening, like Sept. 11.”

“And in Israel, there’s a war,” interrupted Melody.

“It’s a time for family to be together,” Tiffany continued. “And when you feel scared, you’re safe with family.”