Sir Anish Kapoor designs mezuzah for JW3 launch

A mezuzah designed by acclaimed artist Sir Anish Kapoor is to be affixed to the new Jewish community centre on Finchley Road during its official opening next month.

The India-born Jewish artist, whose famous works include the Orbit sculpture in the Olympic Park, will join Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis in addressing the gathering after being commissioned to produce the religious article for the centre’s front door.

JW3 will open its doors to the public for the first time on 29 September for the first of two open days before kicking off an inaugural season featuring more than 1,300 events, performances and classes. The opening will be the culmination of 10 years of preparation since Dame Vivian Duffield, the project’s principal funder, returned from a visit to a community centre in Manhatten inspired to bring such a facility to London.

Raymond Simonson, CEO at JW3, added: “I’m delighted that the Chief Rabbi will be officiating at the mezuzah fixing ceremony. His support and that of Lord Sacks before him is greatly appreciated. Placing a mezuzah on the door is the most Jewish way of saying that, after eleven years in the making, we see JW3 not just as community centre and arts venue but as a home for all. How fitting then to celebrate our opening by commissioning a very special mezuzah designed by Sir Anish Kapoor to grace the threshold of JW3. I can’t wait to see it in place”