America
THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA
America, Discovei-y of
is the simplest jiDssitik' structure both iu design and construction, with uo sins of had tiiste; ami it is an indication of earnest, well-dirccled endeavor to provide a titling place of worship while the struggle for existence is still severe. There has been much divergence of taste in the building of synagogues; but a vague Oriental tendency cim generally be noticed in all of them. The preference for the Jloorish style, at one time so much in favor, seems to have passed away, experience having shown it to be eminently unsuitable and un-.Icwish. In America, as in other countries, if places for .lewish worship are built not entirely in the prevailing style of church architecture, they Churches in are at least strongly iiitlueneed by it. America have been built in Colonial, Gothic, Homanestjuc, classic, and the various forms of the Renaissance and there are now many synagogues in all of Like the synagogue these styles, e.ce|)t the Gothic. at Clcvehuid and the Temple Beth-P^l at New York, the Sinai Temple at Chicago is Romanesque. It was built by the late Dankinar Adler, a Jewish architect of much abilitv, who, with Louis H. Sullivan, de;
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New York, Brooklyn, and Cleveland other examples of this Irealnienl are to bi'.seen. The general ilisposition of mass iu the Temple Emanu-Kl. New York, which has two towers covered with minarets, is pamlleled in the Temple Sinai, New Orleans, the Temple Kiuauu-El, San Francisco, theTein])le, Cincinnati, and many others. This is a favorite arrangement, and is the iialund outcome of the convenient plan of a tower on either siile of the main entrance, containing staircases leading to the galleries. In nearly every case provision is made in the synagogue or iu an adjoining building for a religious Generally the school is in the lower story, school. and often occupies as much Hoor-space as the synagogue i)roper and contains a large ass<'mbly-ioom and numerous class-rocmis. The school-rooms are generally well a|ipointe<l and much care is taken
in their
maintenance and
i'(iuipnienl.
On the whole, synagogue architecture is rapidly reaching a high plane of excellence; and buildings of much beauty devoted to Jewish woi-ship now abound, taking place among the monumental .strucMany of the interiors are imprestures of America.
TocRO Cemetery, Newport,
It.
I.
(From a photoRraph.)
many noteworthy liuildings. The synagogue Keneseth Israel at Philadel|)liia is a good example of Renaissance architecture, with a dome and a tower suggesting an Italian campanile. The synagogue at New Haven is Spanish and many .synagogues throughout the United States have been designed in
sive, and,
other variations of Renaissance. Domes are often used and jirobablv the most interesting example is the Temple Betli-Zion at Buffalo, which isan excellent Byzantine building entirely covered with a low copper"dome. In Philadelphia,
Tombs and mausoleums are assuming architectural irajiortance: and the latter, man.y of which are noteworthy for good design and great dignity, help to distinguish the ceiueterics. in which much pride is taken. Buildings for various .lewish charities are
signed
while general simplicity of arrangement usually exists, the Ark and its surrounding walls afford opportunities for design that are not often neglected. In many cases the Ark is oonstnicted of carved wood or rich marbles; and Jlexican onyx, gold, and mosaics havc^ been used with good effect.
