If you're reading this, the Jewish high holy days have officially come to a close in New York. There are many interesting structures going up around the globe to house the tribe on spiritual days like today.
Happy New Year 5770 (If That's Your Sort of Thing)
- Agudas Achim Synagogue - Lake|Flato, Austin, 2001
- Congregation B'nai Israel - Dent & Nordhaus, Albuquerque, remodeled 2001
- Beth Sholom Synagogue - Frank Lloyd Wright, Elkins Park, 1959
- Congregation Beth Sholom - Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects, San Francisco, 2008
- Park East Synagogue - Centerbrook Architects and Planners, Pepper Pike, 2007
- Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation Synagogue - Ross Barney Architects, Evanston, 2008
- Neue Bochumer Synagogue - Peter Schmitz, Bochum, 2007
- Emanuel Congregation - Ross Barney + Jankowski Inc., Chicago, renovated 2001
- North Shore Synagogue - Alexander Gorlin Architects, Kings Point, 1998
- Ohel Jakob Synagogue - Rena Wandel-Hoefer and Wolfgang Lorch, Munich, 2006
- Synagogue at Yad Vashem - Moshe Safdie and Tamuz, Jerusalem, 2005
- Shaare Tefila Synagogue - Grupo M, Mexico City, 2009
Inspired by tents used to house the first synagogues, light filters through an oculus toward the centrally-located pulpit.
Suspended copper curves provide light for the parishioners and highlight the timber ceiling.
The iconic architect designed this hexagonal building to evoke the shape of two hands clasped in prayer.
Distinct halves of this structure provide space for both religious services and other functions of the congregation.
A modern box-shaped building is softened by undulating woodwork that reflects sound produced over the altar.
Achieves LEED Platinum status with several clever adaptations: the new building is erected on an old foundation, rubble is re-used in cage-framed ground walls, lights are solar-powered, storm water is retained, and exterior light fixtures are automatic.
The new building, emblazoned with partial glass stars of David, was established 70 years after the city's original synagogue burned during Reichskristallnacht.
Mobile translucent panels can create differently-sized spaces dependent upon the activities planned.
Fractured light sources evoke a creation story whereby the order of the universe was shattered, yet rays still permeate.
The stone half of the structure recalls the Wailing Wall, while the upper half commemorates the temporary temples set up by ancient Jews while wandering in the desert for 40 years.
This chapel at Holocaust museum Yad Vashem allows visitors to pray within its walls, but also functions to display several important artifacts.
Simple contrasts create a feeling that is contemporary, but ancient types of stone tie the design into history.
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"If that's your sort of thing"
What is that supposed to mean?!
view Kathryn's profile
these are definately not your grandparents synogogues and while they are very beautiful and even symbolic i wonder if they can evoke the same spiritual feelings as the old fashioned less frills houses of worship.
view mkw's profile
I always heard the shape of Beth Sholom in Elkins Park was designed to evoke Mount Sinai, where the Commandments were received. It was originally designed to sit on top of a hill.
Which makes a lot more sense than the hands clasped in prayer - which Jews do not typically do.
Happy New Year to everyone whether its their thing or not. :)
view JosieDaisy's profile
Also for what it's worth these ARE my grandparents' synagogues.
And plenty older synagogues still have rich, even ornate detailing? "Less frills" is a budget constraint or style choice not particularly tied to age.
view JosieDaisy's profile
josiedaisy...how lucky for your grandparents that these actually are their synagogues..i was merely paraphrasing an old expression and not meaning it literally...and while u r certainly correct in saying that many old shuls are ornate i meant not having been designed by accomplished architects with a modern slant....maybe the fast made my brain a little fuzzy....in any case "l'shana tova tikotevu"..may u be inscribed in the book of life for a good year!
view mkw's profile
I always envy the congregations with those wonderful modernist synagogues. The shuls I go to are all too poor to afford a large new building - so they are on the small and plain (and on High Holidays, cramped) side. I have to say I like it that way - it brings the community together. I will never forget a Purim I spent in Berkeley's old Beth Israel shul - it wasn't earthquake-proof, moreover the walls had huge cracks in them - and when the people swung their rattles and stomped their feet to the sound of "Haman," everybody was sure the whole thing was going to crash.
view firebird's profile
Agreed, what the hell is that supposed to mean?
view dunklekatze's profile
Kathryn and dunklekatze, I think it means "In case you are a follower of Judaism", in a light way. I personally found it attractively bold but not insulting.
view tulpoeid's profile
I don't think that judaism is a "sort of thing", so i'd prefer only the New Year's wishes...
view Jany's profile
But, i do like this article, my community is building a new synagogue at the moment, which will be finished by end of the year. I'm looking forward to that !
view Jany's profile
@jany,
I totally agree with you.
view Kathryn's profile
Religion in general is not my sort of thing, but I appreciate interesting architecture no matter its source or inspiration and took a great course on the Art and Architecture of the Synagogue in college.
If that is your sort of thing, some good reading:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/American-Synagogues/Samuel-D-Gruber/e/9780847825493/?itm=1
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Jewish-Identity-in-Contemporary-Architecture/Angeli-Sachs/e/9783791330570/?itm=2
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Synagogues/Samuel-D-Gruber/e/9781567997422/?itm=3
Thanks for this post!
view michpc's profile
@michpc: thanks for the links !!
view Jany's profile