In the 88th Street Sanctuary, the only complete stained glass window remaining from the original design is the round rose window at the back of the sanctuary.

In 1918, the artist E. Phillipson, who collaborated on much of the interior decoration, wrote:

An added effect of dignity and a certain mystical quality is obtained in the treatment of the largest windows, which are of cathedral glass. These, together with the rose window in the main portal, are in general in two colors only—blue and golden yellow. Simply treated with a diaper pattern (a decorative treatment of a surface with a repeat pattern), the only allegorical design is at the rounded window head. The yellow tone gives a cheerful, sunlight effect, contrasted with the mystic qualities imparted by the blue windows near the sanctuary. This note is further in the dull blue upholstery of the pews and carpeting of the aisles and floor of the sanctuary.

To get a better sense of what these windows would have looked like in 1918, walk up the stairway to the balcony when you enter at 88th Street and you’ll pass windows with the original blue and golden yellow glass still in place.

In honor of the centennial it was decided that over time, as donations were made, the original blue and golden stained glass windows would be replaced with more colorful and narrative-based windows. The first window to be replaced was the floor-to-ceiling window on the west wall closest to the bimah.

That window was dedicated at the Friday night service on November 6, 1925:

The window was presented to the congregation in accordance with provision in the will of Anna Heidenheimer in memory of her parents Asher and Bertha Rosenblatt, who had been affiliated with the congregation from 1839 to 1885. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present at the dedication ceremony. There were also present a number of other families descended from early members.

The window itself was divided into three segments, each surrounded by a border and containing a text that deals with peace/shalom.

At the very top of the window is a six-pointed star with the name of God (and if you look around the sanctuary you will see a six-pointed star at the center of each of the walls). The highest of the three stained glass panels shows hands with fingers held in the traditional manner of the priestly blessing, with the words some may recognize from the Friday night service:

ה׳ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן ה׳ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם׃

Adonai will give strength unto His people; Adonai will bless his people with peace.  —Psalms 29:11

In the middle panel, above and below are the words from a verse from the book of Job 5:23:

כִּי עִם־אַבְנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה בְרִיתֶךָ וְחַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה הׇשְׁלְמָה־לָּךְ׃

For with the stones of the field is your covenant, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

In the bottom panel, appears the Ten Commandments, the sixth commandment includes a misspelling; it should have the letter het but instead features a heh): Above and below it can be found a verse from Psalms 119:165:

שָׁלוֹם רָב לְאֹהֲבֵי תוֹרָתֶךָ וְאֵין־לָמוֹ מִכְשׁוֹל׃

Abundant peace for those who love your Torah.

Sources

Israel Goldstein, A Century of Judaism in New York: B’nai Jeshurun 1825–1925