Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids, Michigan) Explained

Temple Emanuel
Native Name:Hebrew: בית המקדש עמנואל
Image Upright:1.4
Religious Affiliation:Reform Judaism
Festivals:-->
Organisational Status:Synagogue
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Active
Religious Features Label:Notable artworks
Location:1715 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Country:United States
Map Type:Michigan
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:42.9628°N -85.6269°W
Architecture Type:Synagogue
Architecture Style:Modernist
Established:1857
Date Destroyed:-->
Elevation Ft:-->

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

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Temple Emanuel - A Brief History. https://web.archive.org/web/20080915023125/http://www.templeemanuelgr.org/brief_history.html. 2008-09-15. 15 September 2008. 8 September 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. Web site: Erich Mendelsohn - Great Buildings Online. www.greatbuildings.com. 8 September 2018.
  5. Web site: Bishop Eckert, Kathryn . Temple Emanuel [Grand Rapids, Michigan] ]. SAH Archipedia . Esperdy, Gabrielle . Kingsley, Karen . Charlottesville . Society of Architectural Historians . 2012 . January 2, 2024 .
  6. Web site: Michigan State University Museum . MSU Museum . 2018-04-10 . 2018-09-08.