A new immersive light experience that taps into the biblical creation story is drawing crowds of hundreds to one of Brookline’s most historic locations.
Temple Ohabei Shalom is the new home of a European production titled Genesis, a show that uses lights and the architecture of the synagogue to display a 30-minute abstract visual journey through the first seven days of the world according to the Abrahamic religions.
The show runners describe Genesis as secular, with its goal to be for entertainment, though it has been held in mostly places of worship around the world.
The program is scheduled to run through the beginning of January, according to a temporary entertainment license issued by the town, with shows currently scheduled multiple times a week through November.
“Our kids are studying Genesis in school right now, so it was really perfect timing,” said John Pattis, a Framingham resident who drove into the city on a recent Sunday to see the show with family and friends.
The light show utilizes the structure of the temple itself as colors dance off of a central Star of David on the ceiling and wrap around columns which hold up a dome.
“They have 3D mapped everything to the size of the venue, so it’s really cool in there,” said Khalid Fitzgerald, general manager of Genesis. “You have to come and sit on a bean bag to just lay back and see everything.”
Temple Ohabei Shalom has a history dating back to 1847. The temple still operates and serves its community by holding reform-style Jewish prayers, classes and events, and the building is listed on the State Register of Historical Places.
Shari Churwin, the temple’s executive director of education and administration, said that it is “honored” to be the venue of the first Genesis show in the U.S.
“Our historic sanctuary is the perfect backdrop for this immersive and unique experience,” she said.
The audience sits in the temple’s pews and on beanbags to gaze up and around the sanctuary as they witness the colorful experience. According to Fitzgerald, 200-300 people have been attending the show on a typical Saturday.
The production company behind the show, Fever, produces festivals and concerts around the world, including candlelight concerts, a set of live performances driven by orchestral pieces in historic buildings in major cities.
Before Brookline, Genesis made stops in churches across Europe. Over 500,000 people watched the lights in historic houses of worship in locations including London, France and Madrid.
In Brookline, audience member Mary Elaine Jennings said she frequents Fever events and learned about the light show through their newsletter.
“This is perfect,” said Jennings. “Knowing that the sanctuary is so gorgeous and with those lights on it, it is just breathtaking.”