Temple Beth Zion -Table of Contents
Temple
Beth Zion
Exterior / West Window / Interior
Temple Beth Zion - OFFICIAL HOME PAGE
Erected: |
1964-1967 |
Chief architect: |
Max Abramovitz, of
Harrison and Abramovitz (Website
Jan. 2018) |
Style: |
Neo-Expresionist |
Windows, Ten Commandment tablets, Menorah artist: |
Ben Shahn |
Windows artist: |
Shahn's painting adapted by Benoit Gilsoul (BEN wah JEEL soul) |
Windows fabricator: |
Willet Studios |
Temple status: |
Included in the Linwood Preservation District |
Mr. & Mrs. E. Crosby Willet / Max Abramovitz / ? / Henry Lee Willet in 1967. attending the Dedication Ceremonies. Photo courtesy of E. Crosby Willet (Willet Studios) Abramovitz
began writing
about synagogue design well in advance of his first free-standing
synagogue commission (Brandeis University’s Jewish chapel in
1955). In the May 1948 issue of the American Institute of
Architects Bulletin,
Abramovitz writes: “…since biblical days synagogues have been built in
every land in every known style…But the challenge remains – to create a
religious structure with an honest architectural expression free of
false stylistic trends.” Nearly 20 years later, Abramovitz was able to
achieve these aspirations at Temple Beth Zion. -
Sarah Sher, Abramovitz’s
Temple Beth Zion "Cupcake" Synagogue DOCOMOMO US (online
Sept. 2016)
E. Crosby Willet (Willet Studios) in 2009, attending the July 2009 American Glass Guild Conference in Buffalo, standing in front of the East window |
Exterior 805 Delaware replaced the fire-destroyed 599 Delaware Ave. Temple Beth Zion in 1967 ... Being constructed in the round, the building does not contain a cornerstone. Instead, the original cornerstone from the building at 599 Delaware is placed in the rear wall of the sanctuary ark. To it has been added the phrase "Rebuilt 1966." ... The Ben-Shahn-designed west window over the main entrance represents the 150th Psalm. Curved cladding sheets of Alabama limestone (note lines) attached to the steel-reinforced concrete walls ... See construction photos Main entrance facing Delaware ... "The
pillars at the Delaware entrance were
poured in place, reinforced concrete pillars. Journeyman carpenters
were hired to build the formwork, which was allowed to create a wood
grained, paneled texture on the concrete surface. Alabama limestone
veneer was applied to the exterior surface of the exterior walls. Each
slab weighs at least a ton and are anchored to the concrete walls." - M. McClellan,
DOMOMOMO, May 13, 2014
Exterior detail of the west window ... Interior photos of the window below: |
West
window The west stained glass window, created by Ben Shahn, represents the 150th (last) Psalm which calls upon all to praise God.: Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.Cf., Westminster Presbyterian Church's "Praise" window - also by Willet Studios West window detail West window detail West window detail West window detail |
Interior West window is behind the organ ... Note main entrance on first floor ... The Sanctuary seats 600 people downstairs and 400 in the balcony ... Acoustic material forms the backing of the walnut-stained strips on the balcony walls and behind the altar ... The light fixtures have speakers in the center for the sound system and mercury vapor bulbs around them. The 48 rank, 4,000 pipe organ features trumpets from the Lafayette Theater organ. The organ was built by the Casavant Freres Company of St. Hyacinth, Quebec (website online in 2016) ... Two details below: Detail #1 Detail #2 The concrete walls are bathed in a diffused natural light resulting from the skylights ringing the perimeter of the building ... Five views of the wall and skylights below: View #1 View #2 View #3 View #4 View #5 ... The walls are bathed in a diffused natural light resulting from the skylights ringing the perimeter of the building ... To create a feeling of antiquity, Architect Max Abramovitz had the walls bush-hammered to remove 1/4 inch of the surface giving an antique, mottled effect ... The holes in the walls were left from the original forms and add to the Sanctuary's acoustic excellence, as well as design. |