Temple Beth El - Bradford, Pennsylvania

This is the first in a series of posts I plan to write regarding the subject of synagogue downsizing, the closing of many synagogues and the increase in synagogue mergers taking place. The economy, demographic changes, shifting populations and, in many cases, an aging congregational membership base, all have led to changes in the American synagogue landscape in the past few years. While these phenomena are certainly not new within the American Jewish Community, it is my opinion that the frequency of these changes is increasing steadily. One example out of several that I will be talking about is Temple Beth El located in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Bradford is a small city in rural northern Pennsylvania, about 78 miles south of Buffalo. The area was once a large manufacturing and oil producing area. Established in 1958 through the merger of Temple Beth Zion and Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Beth El ultimately traces its beginnings to 1879 when the Bradford Hebrew Congregation was established as the first Jewish congregation in the city. A new Mid-Century Modern style synagogue for Temple Beth El was dedicated in 1961. It featured simple, modern lines, but had a very unique stylized menorah sculpture on the exterior wall with small colored windows to simulate candles on the menorah. The congregation peaked in the 1960's, and by the 1980's the Jewish population had begun to decline in Bradford. In 2000 the congregation made plans to become a lay-led congregation and find smaller, more suitable quarters. In 2006, Temple Beth El moved to a remodeled former church building on Clarence Street in Bradford. Temple Beth El continues to serve five counties, providing a place for Jewish worship and cultural activities . Despite its reduced size, Temple Beth El took the steps to adapt and change in order to remain a viable Jewish institution in a decidedly non-Jewish area of Pennsylvania. For a more detailed history and an image of their current temple, please visit Temple Beth El's website: http://pa002.urj.net/

Photo from temple archives, Courtesy of Todd Halpern

Photo by Linda Perlman 2004, Courtesy of Todd Halpern

Image from Temple Beth El website

Seattle's Temple de Hirsch Sinai

I'm visiting Seattle and had a chance to photograph the exterior of one of the largest and oldest Jewish congregations in Seattle. The in-town synagogue of Temple de Hirsch Sinai is located on Pike Street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and is very close to downtown Seattle. The Alhadeff Sanctuary is, once again, a beautiful example of 'Mid Century Modern' design. It is rather simple in its design, but the large scale and height of the sanctuary give the building a rather massive and impressive feel. The look of the sanctuary evokes the feel of a modern domed worship space. Very clean and simple architectural lines make this a wonderful piece of modern architecture.

Seattle's Temple de Hirsch was established as a Reform congregation in 1899. Belleview's Temple Sinai was founded in 1961. The two congregations merged in 1971 forming the present congregation. It is the largest Reform congregation in the Pacific Northwest. The Alhadeff Sanctuary of the Seattle Campus on Pike Street was completed in 1960. Adjacent to the temple complex one will find portions of the facade of the old 1908 temple. The old temple was demolished in 1993 after unsuccessful attempts at re-use, but a portion of the facade was saved. The area of the old temple now serves as a small park along with the architectural remains.

Welcome Readers

Welcome to my blog. My blog is intended to be an informal look at the topic of American synagogue architecture and its associated congregational histories. The range of postings will cover both current and former synagogues as well as those that, unfortunately, have been demolished over the years. All sizes, locations, styles and time-periods will be touched upon. Though not formally trained in architecture I have studied synagogue architecture and history for many years and consider myself well-versed on the topic. I look forward to sharing images and history and welcome photos, information and suggestions/comments from readers.

The synagogue pictured in the blog heading is that of Shaarey Torah Synagogue in Canton, Ohio. It is a classic example of the 'Mid-Century Modern' style of architecture. The Conservative congregation was established in 1890 and their current synagogue was built in 1958. Their domed sanctuary was a typical design element of the period and gives the building a somewhat "Jetson Space-Age" feel. The synagogue of Congregation Ohav Zedek in nearby Youngstown, Ohio is of a similar design and was most likely designed by the same architecture firm. Shaarey Torah is one of three synagogues (Orthodox, Reform and Conservative) in Canton and is an active congregation. The previous building still stands and I will post photos of it as well as Temple Israel in Canton in a later posting. Canton's Jewish Community has declined in size over the years but still includes a Jewish Community Center, Jewish newspaper and several local Jewish organizations. There currently are plans to consolidate the JCC, Temple Israel and Shaarey Torah at a remodeled and greatly expanded Shaarey Torah location. The JCC and Temple Israel would be sold and each entity would have space at the new remodeled location creating a small Jewish Community Campus.