Research Guides: Temple Beth-El Project: Readings on Synagogue Architecture

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Wischnitzer-Bernstein, Rachel. "The Problem of Synagogue Architecture"
This critique of synagogue architecture appeared in Commentary, March 1947, pp. 233 - 241.

Gruber, Samuel. American Synagogues: A Century of Architecture and Jewish Community
Chapter 1 of this excellent book describes the nature of the synagogue, the history of European synagogues, interior plans, and synagogue decoration.
Israelowitz, Oscar. Synagogues of the United States: A Photographic and Architectural Survey
The Introduction to the 1992 volume provides a brief overview of the rabbinical "requirements" for a synagogue, and describes some of the most important features. The short essay also decribes the history of Jewish immigration to the United States.