High Holy Days
Tomorrow evening, as sundown approaches, Jews around the world will begin observing the 10 day period known as the High Holy Days which start with Rosh Hashanah on the 18th and end with Yom Kippur on the 27th.
Here on Chicago's north side, members of a Reform congregation organized in 1880, once filled the seats of Temple Emmanuel. When this rather simple, straight-forward building was built in 1917, temple architecture seemed to follow a pattern of visual restraint that I've noticed in several synagogues and temples constructed around this time. This religious structure is now divided up into several condominium units carved out of the former sanctuary.
As congregation members moved throughout the city, so did the synagogue. Anshe Emes is another quiet, unassuming building sitting on a quiet unassuming street. Founded in 1878, the Conservative membership built this house of worship in 1915, when they relocated from their synagogue farther south. But they didn't stay long, and moved to another building around the corner in 1926. This building at 637 W. Patterson Steet has also been adaptively reused and was converted into residential condominiums a few years ago.
Anshe Emes became Anshe Emet when the congregation moved into this building
designed by architect Alfred Alschuler in 1910 for Temple Sholom. Although much larger than the buildings above, the exterior is as secular in overall appearance as the other houses of worship. Just remove the Star of David, block out the prayer inscription, and cover up the Commandment tablets, and by all appearances the building could be a library or university auditorium.
Chicago /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
When Temple Sholom gave up their building to Anshe Emet, the Reform congregation moved to much fancier digs on nearby Lake Shore Drive. Designed by the firm of Loebl, Schlossman & Demuth, and Coolidge & Hodgdon in 1930, this Byzantine inspired building is a temple with some design teeth to it, no sedate Roman-Greco detailing here. The building explodes with ornamentation and embraces Jewish symbolism and its Middle Eastern roots.
So, what's the difference between a temple and a synagogue? In general, most Orthodox and Conservative Jewish congregations use the term synagogue, while the Reform movement uses temple. Men and women are segregated in a synagogue's sanctuary but can sit together in a temple. Synagogues use the oldest form of prayer in the Jewish religion and recite everything in Hebrew. A temple congregation on the other hand may not pray exclusively in Hebrew or use ancient texts. In a synagogue only men can hold religious office, while in a temple there is no sexual segregation. As I said, these are general precepts, sometimes things get blurred together, but overall, these are some of the basic differences.
See more at: Temple Sholom.
Posted by designslinger at 9/17/2009 2:14 AM 
Categories: Architecture, History, Adaptive Reuse, Decorative Arts
Tags: North Side Pine Grove Avenue
Categories: Architecture, History, Adaptive Reuse, Decorative Arts
Tags: North Side Pine Grove Avenue
Gentlemen, thank you for this informative little article. I feel a bit more enlightened about my jewish brethren.
-Kelvin
You're very welcome!
Very interesting "building reconversion" post.
Thanks for visiting Chandler a to z...
Your blog is overwhelmed with details and I'll have to come back when I have more time to look at the pictures as well as reading the texts...
Hope you get a chance to come back again and stay a little while. Looking forward to our return visits to chandler!