Architectural History of Modern Synagogues

Dr. Anat Geva, architect and Professor Emerita of architecture at Texas A&M University, will deliver an online lecture focused on the architecture of mid-century American synagogues for Roundtable by the 92nd Street Y, New York. Geva will explore the rich intersection of postwar religious and cultural identity, suburban migration, and cutting-edge architectural design and technology.

Her lecture will highlight the intricate architectural language of iconic synagogues such as Park Synagogue in Cleveland, OH, envisioned by Eric Mendelsohn; Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA, a masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright; and North Shore Congregation Israel Synagogue in Glencoe, IL, a testament to the innovative genius of Minoru Yamasaki

Geva will examine mid-20th-century architectural gems like Temple Oheb Shalom in Baltimore, MD, envisioned by Walter Gropius and Sheldon Leavitt; Temple Mount Sinai Synagogue in El Paso, TX, designed by Sidney Eisenshtat, and many more works that reshaped the landscape of American sacred spaces. Discover how all these structures have evolved to meet the shifting needs of demographics, faith rituals, building codes, and energy conservation efforts.

Gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate dance between tradition and innovation that defines the architectural landscape of Modern American synagogues.

Anat Geva, PhD is a Professor Emerita of architecture at Texas A&M University; a registered architect in Israel; and an AIA associate member. She taught architectural design studios and seminars on sacred architecture, the history of building technology, and preservation. She is the author of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Sacred Architecture: Faith, Form, and Building Technology; Modernism and American Mid 20-Century Sacred Architecture; Water and Sacred Architecture; The Architecture of Modern American Synagogues, 1950s–1960s and co-author of Israel as a Modern Architectural Experimental Lab, 1948–1978.

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