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Beth Sholom Synagogue Research Paper

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Beth Sholom Synagogue The Beth Sholom Synagogue is a Jewish congregation with a conservative background that was founded in Philadelphia in 1918. The synagogue is considered by many to be Frank Lloyd Wright’s most expressive house of worship. The name of the synagogue translates to the “house of peace” in order to honor the ending of the War. Originally the congregation was created in the Logan section but later moved to Elkins Park in Pennsylvania right after World War II. In 1951 the Beth Sholom center opened in Elkins Park, meanwhile services were still held at the original building. Two years down the road, Frank Lloyd Wright was persuaded by Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen to accept the commission to design his first and last synagogue in his …show more content…

Sinai the mount of light. When asked why he chose white glass for the tower, Mr. Wright replied, "Let God put His colors on, for He is the great artist. When the sun shines, the temple will glitter like gold. At night in the moonlight, it will shine like silver. On gray days it will be gray. When the heavens are blue, a soft blue will cover the building."(Wright) The fountain that stands before the entrance of the synagogue represents the Laver that was in front of the ancient tabernacle. The Laver which derived from the word “lave” or wash, was where the priests would go and wash themselves before entering the sacred space place and worshiping and praying. In the period of the tabernacle, the Priests would greet people who came and left the sacred place with his blessing, therefore Wright thought stretching the canopy as a representation over the main entrance as outstretched hands was a good idea. Cohen wanted Menorahs to be visibly seen from the synagogue so he had Wright place seven divided menorahs on the three ridges of the building which can be seen from every direction. Furthermore, the Menorahs lift their arms as if they are in prayer to represent the Menorah as a central symbol. From an aerial view, one sees an esthetically wry hexagon. Many have asked Mr. Wright why he chose a hexagon as the form for his design, and he quoted Deuteronomy 33.27 using his hands to represent the …show more content…

The “Sisterhood Sanctuary” is an auditorium that holds approximately 250 people. The sanctuary is emphasized with different plants in large containers, and glass doors that make up the entrance of the sanctuary. Wright created the “Sister Sanctuary” in order to achieve the mood and presence of harmony and peace while people are in meditation and in prayer. On the east side of the sanctuary a magnificent Ark of the Torah is placed in wood with light shadowing the top of the Ark. Robed extravagantly in many color mantels, the Ark holds seven Torahs which represent seven days of the week. The seven Torahs represent the seven days of the week crowning in the holy Sabbath. One of the most important features of the Synagogue is this ark that holds a very important message for the congregation and well as the heart of Judaism. One of the prominent features that takes over the synagogue is the massive Monolith that suggests the shape of the Ten Commandments or the tablets of Law. This is important for many reason, the most important being it represents the teachings, morals and values of

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