Maltz Performing Arts Center Explained

Maltz Performing Arts Center
Fullname:Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center
Address:1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Country:United States
Coordinates:41.5081°N -81.6161°W
Type:Performing arts center
Genre:Theatre, music, seminars
Capacity:1,200 people
Yearsactive:since 2010
Tenants:Case Western Reserve University
Temple–Tifereth Israel
Silver Sanctuary
Image Upright:1.4
Religious Affiliation:Reform Judaism
Festivals:-->
Organisational Status:Synagogue
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Active
Map Type:United States Cleveland
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:41.5081°N -81.6161°W
Architect:Charles R. Greco
Architecture Type:Synagogue architecture
General Contractor:John Gill & Sons
Year Completed:1924
Construction Cost:$1.5 million
Date Destroyed:-->
Dome Quantity:Three
Dome Height Outer:85feet
Dome Dia Outer:90feet
Materials:Indiana limestone, marble, ceramic tiles
Elevation Ft:-->
Module:
Embed:yes
The University Temple
Added:August 30, 1974
Refnum:74001455

The Maltz Performing Arts Center, officially the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, is a 1200-seat historic arts and religious venue on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, located at 1855 Ansel Road, in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. The center is contained within the Temple–Tifereth Israel synagogue building, located at Silver Park, on the border between the suburbs of Hough and University Circle.[1]

The converted Reform Jewish synagogue, known as The University Temple, The Temple, or the Silver Sanctuary, serves as the main performance venue of the Case Western Reserve music department and holds campus special events. Silver Hall is used by the local Jewish congregation for annual religious and special events.

1924 temple building

Sited on a triangular-shaped block, excavation for the new structure began on December 4, 1922; and on May 13, 1923, the cornerstone was laid. The Temple was designed by architect Charles R. Greco in a mix of Byzantine Revival and Romanesque Revival styles. Built from Indiana limestone and marble, the hexagonal sanctuary is topped by a yellow-tiled 90feet dome, with two smaller domes flanking the entrance. Completed in 1924 as a costs of $1.5 million, The Temple was dedicated over the High Holy Days on September 19-21.[2] The sanctuary contains three notable stained glass windows by Arthur Szyk that depict Gideon, Samson and Judah Maccabee. A large W. W. Kimball pipe organ was built for the opening, with specifications designed by temple organist Carleton H. Bullis.[3]

The Temple served as the home synagogue for the Tifereth-Israel congregation until 1963.

The congregation was served by rabbis Abba Hillel Silver, from 1917 until his death in 1963, and by his son, Daniel Jeremy Silver, from 1963 until his death in 1989. In 1990, the congregation rededicated the sanctuary as the Silver Sanctuary, in their honor.[4] [5]

The Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1974.

1963 branch synagogue building

In 1963, a branch synagogue, The Temple Tifereth-Israel, was established in suburban Beachwood, which is now the main place of worship. The congregation now known as The Temple - Tifereth Israel owns the 1924 building, used on the High Holy Days as well as for life cycle events and meetings.

Case Western Reserve University partnership

In March 2010, Case Western Reserve University and The Temple Tifereth-Israel announced a historic partnership to create the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, which was led by a donation of $12 million from the Maltz Family Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. The university estimated that the total renovation of the building required $25.6 million, with an additional $7 million needed for construction of a pedestrian bridge/walkway to connect the building to the university campus.[6] [7] The multi-phased project, carried out by architectural firm DLR Group, allowed the sanctuary to accommodate music performances, lectures, as well as a place of worship and expanded the facility for the university’s theater and dance departments.[8] The renovations and conversions were completed in 2015.[9]

A major construction project was completed in 2021 that added additional performing arts spaces to the Temple. Two theaters, scenic and costume shops, classrooms, storage, and the offices of the CWRU Department of Theater, which manages operations of the additional space were part of the project.[10]

Temple Museum of Religious Art

The synagogue building is one of three gallery locations for the Temple Museum of Religious Art, operated by Temple-Tifereth Israel. Other locations include the Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and Temple Tifereth-Israel in Beachwood. The museum was founded in 1950 by Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver as part of the 100th anniversary celebration for The Temple-Tifereth Israel.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About the Center . Maltz Performing Arts Center . . 7 May 2018 .
  2. Web site: Greenberg, Gail . Building The Temple in University Circle . Cleveland Jewish History . January 9, 2020 . January 26, 2024 .
  3. January 1, 1924 . Cleveland Temple to Have Novel Features . . 15 . 2 . 1.
  4. Encyclopedia: Temple Tifereth-Israel . Encyclopedia of Cleveland History . . 2024 . January 26, 2024 .
  5. Web site: Tifereth Israel (The Temple) . Cleveland Jewish History . Berger, Arnold . n.d. . January 26, 2024 .
  6. News: Litt, Steven . Maltz Family Foundation donates $12 million to CWRU to let school, synagogue share Temple-Tifereth Israel . Cleveland.com . 19 March 2010 .
  7. News: O'Malley, Michael . Deal with CWRU will preserve The Temple-Tifereth Israel, the last major synagogue in Cleveland . Cleveland.com . March 19, 2010 . January 26, 2024 .
  8. Web site: CWRU nears kickoff for construction of Maltz Performing Arts Center expansion . Cleveland.com . 2022-05-18 . en.
  9. Web site: First Look: Completed renovation makes Temple-Tifereth Israel ready for Sunday debut as Maltz arts center . photos . Cleveland.com . 24 September 2015 .
  10. Web site: Case Western University completes addition on Maltz Performing Arts Center in Cleveland . Cleveland Real Estate News . October 2021 .
  11. Web site: Museums . Temple Tifereth-Israel . https://web.archive.org/web/20110728131905/http://www.ttti.org/article/article_view.aspx?UID=0fcc42ee-dbb3-4984-bb98-2474b9fec4db . 2011-07-28 .