Anat Geva, "The Architecture of Modern American Synagogues, 1950s-1960s" (Texas A&M UP, 2023)

New Books in Architecture

Today I talked to Anat Geva about The Architecture of Modern American Synagogues, 1950s-1960s (Texas A&M UP, 2023).

There is no one mandate on how to build the exterior of a synagogue - something that I don't think I ever thought about, yet it was something that Professor Anat Geva focused on. Famous architects of different backgrounds built the synagogues across the USA and no two really look the same. It made me reflect on recognizing a synagogue as distinct from the outside, and the concept of a community being created through their synagogues. Focusing on the post WWII era of synagogue creation adds another layer, and the discussion went into how the art, light, and even sustainability were key elements in these creations. It seems to have interested others as well as there were some interesting reviews in the WSJ and the Journal of Architects.

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