Redemption: The Parting of The Red Sea

David Holleman (Arlington, MA 1927–2020 Lexington, MA)
USA, 1960’s
Stained glass with epoxy edge gluing mounted on plate glass, h. 8 ft. x w. 5.5 ft.
Dedicated in memory of Fannie Stein, Harry Stein, and Ida Coffman.
Cincinnati Skirball Museum, gift of Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills, formerly Temple Beth El, Quincy, MA and Temple Shalom, Milton, MA, 2015.1.4a/b

Redemption is a two panel window which depicts the parting of The Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian as they were engulfed by the sea. The theme of redemption was particularly meaningful to Rabbi David Jacobs, the rabbi who served Temple Beth El when this project was realized. He wanted the closing of the sea portrayed, with the chariots and horses being inundated as the waters closed in on them. It was important in this two panel window, as in the others, that there be no literal representation. Abstraction of the forms allowed the artist to convey meaning without violating religious tenets. Included are the words from Moses’ song of deliverance, Adonai Yimloch l’olam va’ed– “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”