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Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

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Coordinates: 42°57′46″N 85°37′37″W / 42.962751°N 85.626896°W / 42.962751; -85.626896
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For similarly named synagogues, see Emanu-El.
Temple Emanuel
Hebrew: בית המקדש עמנואל
Temple Emanuel in 2019
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
Leadership
  • Rabbi Javier E Cattapan
  • Rabbi Albert Lewis (Emeritus)
StatusActive
Notable artworks
Location
Location1715 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
CountryUnited States
Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids, Michigan) is located in Michigan
Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Location in Michigan
Geographic coordinates42°57′46″N 85°37′37″W / 42.962751°N 85.626896°W / 42.962751; -85.626896
Architecture
Architect(s)
TypeSynagogue
StyleModernist
Date established1857 (as a congregation)
Completed
  • 1882 (Fountain Street)
  • 1952 (Fulton Street)
Website
grtemple.org

Temple Emanuel (Hebrew: בית המקדש עמנואל) is a Reform Jewish synagogue located at 1715 Fulton St East, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the United States. The congregation was founded in 1857 and describes itself as the fifth oldest Reform congregation in the United States.[1]

History

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The congregation erected its first building in 1882 at the corner of Fountain and Ransom Streets. The architect was D.S. Hopkins. In 1996 it was in use as an office building and was the oldest synagogue building still standing in Michigan.[2][3]

The 1952 building by Erich Mendelsohn,[4] was completed in the Modernist style that is set low and wide, constructed of brick and glass with butterfly-wing roofs. The unusual floor plan of twin rooms, side by side, for the sanctuary and social space, are separated by an electronically retractable wall, enabling doubling of capacity for High Holiday services.[5] Notable artworks includes a sculpture by Calvin Albert, a mural by Lucienne Bloch, reflecting the festivals of the Jewish year,[5] and a 1926 Tiffany glass window depicting the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz. The window was moved from the 1882 building when the congregation erected its new synagogue.[6] In 1992 a major renovation of the sanctuary and public spaces was undertaken.[5]

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  • Burning Bush sculpture by Calvin Albert
    Burning Bush sculpture by Calvin Albert
  • Descriptive plaque of Burning Bush
    Descriptive plaque of Burning Bush

References

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  1. ^ "Temple Emanuel - A Brief History". September 15, 2008. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  2. ^ Mark W. Gordon, "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues", American Jewish History, 84.1 (1996) 11-27. 2019 article update.
  3. ^ Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: Historical Account of Their Progress from First Settlement to the Present Time, Ernest B. Fisher, Robert O. Law company, Chicago, 1918, p. 397.
  4. ^ "Erich Mendelsohn - Great Buildings Online". www.greatbuildings.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Bishop Eckert, Kathryn (2012). Esperdy, Gabrielle; Kingsley, Karen (eds.). "Temple Emanuel [Grand Rapids, Michigan]". SAH Archipedia. Charlottesville: Society of Architectural Historians. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "Michigan State University Museum". MSU Museum. April 10, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
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