The Tapestries

A beautiful part of Yeshurun’s story.

Yeshurun is home to 12 embroidered tapestry panels representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The tapestries draw on references from Bereishit and their colours were designed to complement the synagogue’s stained glass.

The panels were commissioned in 1977 by Judy Barry and Beryl Patten. In 2008, matching Ark curtains and Bimah covers were added, creating a distinctive visual thread through the synagogue.

They are more than decoration: they are part of the story and character of the space in which our community gathers.

The panels are shown below, along with their inscriptions and design explanations.

tap-asher-thumb Asher: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 20.
Inscription: “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.”
Design: The traditional symbol of Asher is the fruiting tree. In this interpretation, however, the idea of “bread shall be fat” is interpreted as a sheaf of corn representing a fruitful and bountiful harvest.
tap-ben-thumb Benjamin: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 27
Inscription: “Benjamin shall raven as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey and at night he shall divide the spoil.”
Design: Morning and night skies divide the panel as in the inscription. The darker, night side leads the eye to the adjacent green panel. The ravening wolf is interpreted as a hunter and instruments of the hunt, spear heads glinting in the morning light, can be seen amongst the grasses
tap-dan-thumb Dan: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 17
Inscription: “Dan shall be a serpent by the way, and adder in the path…”
Design: Represents the snake or adder in the desert landscape.
tap-eph-thumb Ephraim: Genesis Chapter 48: Verse 16
Inscription: “The Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the lads… “
tap-gad-thumb Gad: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 19
Inscription: “Gad, a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last ”
Design: The tent, the symbol traditionally associated with Gad, is represented in the quiet of the desert. The design is still and empty, representing the peace that was finally Gad’s.
tap-isescar-thumb Isacchar: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 14 and 15
Inscription: “Issachar is a strong ass crouching down between two burdens”
Design: A central motif reminiscent of a cornucopia represents the good of the land, its riches and bounty. Two interwoven forms can be seen behind the name of the tribe. These loosely represent the two burdens or panniers carried on the back of a donkey. The design composition leads slightly to the left towards the neighbouring Simeon-Levi panel
tap-mena-thumb Menasseh: Genesis Chapter 48: Verse 20
Inscription: “May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menasseh.”
Design: The palm tree, traditional symbol of Manasseh, is depicted in this panel.
tap-naft-thumb Naftali: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 21
Inscription: “Naftali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.”
Design: The hind is emerging from the darkness into the light, taking on the mantle of good words and counsel
tap-reuban-thumb Reuben: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 3-4
Inscription: “Though art my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength.”
Design: Represents the sun (symbol of Reuben) scorching flames and unquenchable fire being all-powerful. Diagonal lines in the composition lead the eyes towards the Ark on the right of it in the Shul.
tap-sim-thumb Simeon-Levi: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 5-7
Inscription: “Simeon and Levi are brethren…I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel ”
Design: Represents sharp and angular shapes-the instruments of war/battle and confrontation. The central yellow area ‘divides’ the red, and the small fragmentary shapes represent the scattering of the tribe. Diagonal lines in the composition lead the eye to the right, towards the Ark.
tap-yehuda-thumb Yehudah: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 9
Inscription: “Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey my son, thou art gone up.”
Design: Represents the Lion of Judah leaping towards the left and thus leading the eye towards the neighbouring red panel of Reuben
tap-zeb-thumb Zebulun: Genesis Chapter 49: Verse 13
Inscription: “Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea: and he shall be for a haven of ships.”
Design: Represents the sea in waving blue and silver lines. Plant forms and pebbles suggest the sea’s edge, and the plant forms curves to represent a harbour or haven. The division of colour leads to the adjacent orange and green panels.