Its blend of art, architecture vision of Percival Goodman.
How to update a sacred space?
That is a question before members of Temple Beth El on Springfield's Dickinson Street. A conservative congregation founded in 1913, the synagogue merged, in 2008, with Congregation B'nai Jacob that was founded in 1891.
A strategic plan is underway to upgrade the synagogue, while also preserving the blending of art and architecture first envisioned by original architect, Percival Goodman, who, at the time of his death in 1989, was considered one of the nation's leading designer of synagogues.
Infact, the synagogue will hold a symposium on the architecture and design of Temple Beth El on Oct. 27, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m, led by Preston Scott Cohen, Gerald M. McCue Professor in Architecture at Harvard School of Design. His recent projects include the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
Other panelists include Suzanne O'Keefe, a New York City architect who has taught at Columbia University and was a family friend and interviewer of Goodman. Goodman taught at Columbia from 1946 to 1971.
New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberg's obituary of Goodman, published Oct. 12, 1989, paid tribute to him as believing "passionately that the architect had a responsibility not merely to create physical forms, but also to serve as an advocate for improved social conditions."
Goodman wrote ''Communitas,'' a blueprint for utopias, with his brother, the philosopher Paul Goodman, in 1947. He also wrote ''The Double E,'' a 1977 treatise on the relationship of ecology to city planning,
The Oct. 27 event at the synagogue, at 979 Dickinson, includes a tour, both mobile and virtual, and a question-and-answer session with the audience.
The synagogue's architecture and design committee has been meeting over the past four years to conduct research on the history of the synagogue, and to identify and hire an architect to do a “modest overhaul” of the campus, said Susan Weiss Firestone, a member of the committee.
The committee has narrowed down its search to five architects, she said.
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz said the original design needs to function with the ever-changing needs of the congregation.
“The idea of sacred space is a very old idea that goes back to the Bible. What the committee is trying to do is help us maintain our sacred space, and recognize that the needs of a 21st century congregation are very different than from the congregation of the 1960s,” Katz said.
The synagogue is currently celebrating 100 years as a congregation, and is a sponspor of the exhibit, "One Hundred Years of Jewish Life in the Valley: From Shetl to Suburb," at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. There is also a Sept. 26 event honor Rabbi Emeritus Herbert Schwartz and Cantor Emeritus Morton Shames, and a gala on Nov.2 at the synagogue.
The “Art and Architecture of the Synagogue.” symposium is also one of the events honoring the synagogues centennial. It will be moderated by Katz, and also include Samuel Gruber, founding director of the Jewish Heritage Council of the World Monuments Fund.
“It will be a nice way for all of us to get together and think about our building, and the gifts we received and think about where we want to go in the future,” said Paul Farkas, president of Temple Beth El.
The synagogue was built over a three-year period, starting in 1950, and designed by Goodman, who was known for integrating the work of artists of the time with synagogue architecture, Firestone said.
A fire in 1964 destroyed much of the synagogue, and the new structure was again designed by Goodman and rebuilt in 1965.
“We’re looking at how to respect the original architecture and upgrade the building a little, and also look at the way people use space now, which is different even though the synagogue is still a house of study, a house of worship and a house of assembly,” Firestone said.
“We’re all about creating community here and (Goodman) understood that as part of his whole thinking.”
Art and architecture go hand-in-hand at Temple Beth El due to the vision of Goodman, who included in his designs works from well-known artists of that era, Firestone said.
For example, metalwork by sculptor Ibram Lassaw can be found in many locations throughout the space, including the large “pillar of fire” sculpture in the front of the building as well as two designs in the sanctuary: an eternal light and a menorah.
A floor-to-ceiling tapestry by noted painter and printmaker Robert Motherwell located in the social hall is one of several of his works that adorn the temple.
Goodman also wanted to bring the vision of nature into the sanctuary and designed large windows on either side of that space to provide a view of the tlandscaping, she said.
As plans progress, members hope that congregants will have renewed appreciation for what’s already there, said committee member Susan Heller.
“The artifacts people walk by every day are actually significant pieces of art that we’re trying to promote. Sometimes you don’t realize what you have,” she said.
To help pay for the proposed plans, congregants for the past five years have made donations to the centennial capital campaign to make capital improvement to the building, increase endowment and pay down outstanding debt, said Rhoda Peskin, executive director of the synagogue.
As part of the design committee’s homework over the last couple of years, members conducted research on Goodman and his original work on the building, including reviewing his architectural drawings, photos and articles about him, stored at the Wood Museum..
Members also made a trip to Columbia University in New York City to inspect Goodman’s papers archived at the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library at Columbia.
Katz said is ever mindful that any modifications are built on past contributions and vision.
“You feel like the message that the generation that built the synagogue gave to the world was ‘we’re here to stay, we’re successful, we’re accomplished, we’re Americans and we’re proud Jews,’” Katz said.
“I think the next generation or two or three had begun to sort of take that message for granted. And to be honest with you when the building was not as well maintained, which happens sometimes, it’s easy to lose their pride.”
The Oct. 27 symposium is free, but registration is required at by emailing office.bespringfield.org. For further information, call (413) 733-4149.
For more information, visit http://tbespringfield.org/bethel/
Related:
http://www.docomomo-us.org/register/fiche/temple_beth_el