Building Jerusalem: Jewish Architecture in Britain
The subject of synagogue art and architecture has, for too long, stood outside the mainstream of architectural history. In the 1990s, a series of important conferences in the United States and England has drawn attention to this fact and secured the recognition of the Jewish architectural heritage. Only now is the 'heritage industry' beginning to open up to the reality of a multi-cultural society. In Britain, in particular, a country where Jews have enjoyed 300 years of continuous settlement,...
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The subject of synagogue art and architecture has, for too long, stood outside the mainstream of architectural history. In the 1990s, a series of important conferences in the United States and England has drawn attention to this fact and secured the recognition of the Jewish architectural heritage. Only now is the 'heritage industry' beginning to open up to the reality of a multi-cultural society. In Britain, in particular, a country where Jews have enjoyed 300 years of continuous settlement, the definitive history of Jewish monuments, both sacred and secular, has yet to be written. A comprehensive survey of extant Jewish sites likewise awaits completion. Building Jerusalem: Jewish Architecture in Britain goes some ways towards filling this gap. The issue of preservation is a central theme of the book. Steps must be taken to arrest the alarming disappearance of historic Jewish landmarks in Britain. Aware of instructive precedents set in both Europe and the USA, contributors call upon the leadership of British Jewry to put preservation on the communal agenda and for the education of the general public (both Jewish and non-Jewish) to appreciate the uniqueness of the Jewish architectural heritage. Above all, this book challenges Anglo-Jewry to adopt a responsible conservation policy that strikes a balance between respect for the past and contemporary communal needs. The text is richly illustrated, featuring, in particular, original artwork by Beverly-Jane Stewart and photographs by Anthony Harris.BooknewsAn architectural history concentrating on the contribution of the Jewish community to Britain's urban landscape. Ten architects and art scholars offer essays on all the major Jewish building types, including synagogues, cemeteries, "mikvaot" (ritual baths) and social architecture, detailing both exteriors and interiors and reflecting on an archeological legacy going back to the medieval period. All the contributors emphasize the need for the preservation of historic Jewish landmarks in Britain. Includes photographs and floor plans. Distributed by ISBS. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
List of IllustrationsList of TablesList of AppendicesAcknowledgmentsGlossaryNotes on Contributors1Introduction12Between Europe and the New World: Britain's Place in Synagogue Architecture183Building Jerusalem in the 'Islands of the Sea': The Archaeology of Medieval Anglo-Jewry344Compromising Traditions in Eighteenth-Century London: The Architecture of the Great Synagogue, Duke's Place545Synagogue Bodies: Building Policy and Conservation Issues846'Eden in Albion': A History of the Mikveh in Britain1017Jewish Cemeteries in the West England1558'Four Per Cent Philanthropy': Social Architectures for East London Jewry, 1850-19141679'All Manner of Workmanship': Interior Decoration in British Synagogues19310Alternative Uses for 'Redundant' Synagogues209Index225
\ BooknewsAn architectural history concentrating on the contribution of the Jewish community to Britain's urban landscape. Ten architects and art scholars offer essays on all the major Jewish building types, including synagogues, cemeteries, "mikvaot" (ritual baths) and social architecture, detailing both exteriors and interiors and reflecting on an archeological legacy going back to the medieval period. All the contributors emphasize the need for the preservation of historic Jewish landmarks in Britain. Includes photographs and floor plans. Distributed by ISBS. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.\ \
