Oliver Smith, who designed stained glass for a number of area churches, conceived of the temple's glass wheel window with segments representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Located at Fifth Avenue and 65th Street, the soaring, clear-span Sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El rises to a height of six stories, embraces a floor area of more than 11,000 s/f (enough to accommodate some 2,500 worshippers) and is everywhere characterized by its gorgeous and expertly wrought decoration: from the mosaic tiles of the pillared Ark (which evokes the form of an open Torah scroll) to the lustrous, richly colored Wheel Window (designed by Oliver Smith).