Beth Sholom Synagogue


Related person
Frank Lloyd Wright (was created by)
Date
1954-1959;2007 (added to the National Register of Historic Places)
Location
North and Central America->United States->Pennsylvania->Montgomery->Elkins Park Gardens
Description
Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, began with a letter. And that letter contained a very bold, and very specific, proposition. In it, Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen outlined his vision for a synagogue that was simple and modern in design. It could hold 1,200 to 1,500 people, and would cost $500,000. This synagogue would have no windows, but it would have a roof with glass and a rotunda in order to let in light. Walls would be acoustically treated. There would be classrooms and meeting rooms and storage rooms, and it would all be air-conditioned. He included sketches of his vision. Twelve days later, Rabbi Cohen received his response: “Dear Rabbi Cohen, I would like to talk with you concerning your project.” It was signed Frank Lloyd Wright. -- National Trust for Historic Preservation
Style/Period
1950s (1950 - 1959)