East Window, Eldridge St. Synagogue, to be replaced with new Kiki Smith design, photo: courtesy of Kate Milford

Artist Kiki Smith has been commissioned to design a stain glass window for the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Smith’s window will be the final element in the synagogue’s 20-year $18.5 million restoration. The Victorian-era synagogue features 50-foot ceilings and 68 stained glass windows. Smith’s window replaces a geometric design installed in 1944-45 after the original window was damaged. Architect Deborah Gans will collaborate with Smith.

The new window’s celestial composition, with gold stars against a blue sky, was inspired by other decoration in the sanctuary.

The Eldridge Street Synagogue is a National Historic Landmark. The window was commissioned by the Museum at Eldridge Street. Funds for the new window come from American Express, the David Berg Foundation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and other sources.