The architecture and design of Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs tell the story of continuity and a radical break with Jewish tradition. A significant aspect of this departure has to do with the tradition of the praying congregation facing east towards the holy land.
The original sanctuary has the bimah and ark on the north, and the newer sanctuary situated so the congregation faces west during worship services.
While the smaller chapel has the hebrew lettering of the Ten Commandments on either side of the ark, no such adornment is in evidence in the synagogue’s main sanctuary.
Reading Theology from Temple Isaiah – Jewish Community Center’s Architecture
A love affair with the modernism synagogue of Palm Springs
Rabbi Nicolas L Behrmann
“We shape our buildings and afterward our buildings shape us”
This quote from Winston Churchill occurred to me as I was sitting in the Bochner Sanctuary at mid-morning for a funeral service. This is the best time to appreciate the designed beauty of this sacred space at Temple Isaiah.
The notion of “our buildings shape us” lead to my exploration of reading theology from Temple Isaiah – Jewish Community Center’s architecture and design. What are we to experience about God, People and Jewish Tradition from the synagogue at 332 West Alejo?
An Expression of Cultural, Ethnic and Religious Diversity
Temple Isaiah – Jewish Community Center and its future is a matter of importance to the Jewish and Non-Jewish communities of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley as an expression of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity required for a thriving and rich cultural community and welcoming tourist destination.
| Drawing of Mid-Century Modernism Facility | 1980’s Expansion |
Our 332 West Alejo Road location is rooted in Midcentury Modernism and the 1980s Expansion was an expression of optimism about the future of Palm Springs and the on-going role of the Jewish community in the quality of life possible for its residents.
The facilities offer not only historical value but moving forward significance as a place for Intellectual Stimulation, Spiritual Well-being and Effective Social Justice. These values are based on Temple Isaiah’s commitment to the three pillars of Jewish Life: Torah (intellectual growth), Avodah (spiritual practice), and Gemilut Hasadim (fixing the world).
Architectural Gems Love and Lost
The 2019 Calendar of the Palm Springs Historical Society features “Architectural Gems Loved and Lost.” The September picture is that of the six-pointed stars wall of the original E. Stewart Williams midcentury modernism structure of Temple Isaiah – Jewish Community Center.
This writing is a polemic against that notion of ”loved and lost” of the cement design of the six-pointed “Jewish star” or perhaps most appropriate star of David. The wall of stars was indeed sacrificed in the expansion of the facilities in 1982, but was replaced by the colorful Ya’akov Agam star of david in the new sanctuary.
| The Star of David Wall | The Agam Ark Star of David |
Table of Contents
“We shape our buildings and afterward our buildings shape us”. 1
An Expression of Cultural, Ethnic and Religious Diversity. 1
Architectural Gems Love and Lost 2
Bochner – The future is holy – optimism with color
Lieberman – Our Fture is in our past