Israel's most beautiful synagogues – part 1 Ynet asks 10 leading architects to select the 5 most beautiful and

special temples in Jewish state, each with its own character and beauty. Here is the first article in this festive
project:

1. Cymbalista Synagogue, Tel Aviv

Photo: Yaron Brener

About the structure
The Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center at Tel Aviv University were planned by Swiss architect Mario Botta.
>From the outside, the building looks like "binoculars" – two tubes made of "bricks" from a special material brought from
Asia , in a warm and pleasant color. The two round tubes emerge from square bases, which are the halls of convergence.
The building has two halls separated by the entrance, creating a sort of bipolarity between the prayer hall turning east and
the study hall turning west.
In the prayer hall the worshippers sit in layouts facing each other, both turning to the axis connecting the entrance to the
Holy Ark. The Ark is surrounded by an alabaster "ring" bringing light into the prayer hall.
Above the synagogue is a sort of canopy connecting to the external tube and shadowing the internal hall. The entire
building is unconventional and does not look like a synagogue neither on the outside nor on the inside.
 2. The Italian Synagogue, Jerusalem

Photo: Gil Yohanan

About the structure
• The Italian Synagogue is located at the U. Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art on Jerusalem 's Hillel Street . It
was "brought" from the Italian town of Conegliano in 1952, after the local authority had planned to destroy it.
The building is admirable, and simply beautiful. The importance of the structure is the space, which is almost
reminiscent of the internal space of a human being due to its appearance as two poles connected by one axis.
The Holy Ark is located on the east, and the stage is on the west. The seats are organized between them, with
the worshippers sitting on two parallel layouts, each facing the connecting axis.
The synagogue's furniture is special and the walls are covered with cherry tree plating. The women's gallery
grilles are carved in wood and can be lifted, and they enable the women to freely observe what is taking place in
the men's gallery.
 3. Ohel Yaakov Synagogue, Zichron Yaakov

Photo: Ido Erez

About the structure
The Ohel Yaakov Synagogue in Zichron Yaakov is an ancient temple which gives a notion of the good old Land of
Israel . It was built in 1886 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in memory of his father Yaakov, and is extremely
authentic.
The synagogue represents tradition and continuity, which are well associated with Judaism.
In general, I feel ancient synagogues have an added value. They give the feeling that you belong to something
which took place a long time ago, making you feel like you are part of history. Passed down through generations.
The synagogue is quite big, but not huge. This is true from a religious-perceptional aspect: One must be alone
with God, and this may be somewhat difficult in grandiose buildings.
Its rectangular design does not represent a breakthrough in terms of genres, but the synagogue has a holiness of
spirits which have passed through it and it houses ancient feelings.
 4. Givat Ram synagogue, Jerusalem

Photo: Gil Yohanan

About the structure
• The synagogue at the Hebrew University 's Givat Ram campus was planned by David Resnick (together with Heinz Rau)
in 1956. Reznik wrote in his book, "Before my eyes I saw a building on the crossroads, as a cover of one's mood" (from
a conversation with Yaakov Malkin).
The synagogue looks like an inverse dome, deprived of air and light. The place conveys a great experience. Upon
entering the place, one loses sense of direction. The entry is from below and everything is sealed. It's an extremely
strong experience.
The synagogue has "architectural significance" – a clear expression of the place's significance. The immediate feeling is
of a place of convergence leading to elation.

This is undoubtedly one of the first temples mentioned when thinking about special synagogues.
 5. Megillat or Synagogue, Caesarea (Otherwise known as
“Menachem’s”)

Photo: Amit Goren

About the structure
• Caesarea's Megillat or Synagogue is built in circles. The building is unique and built
as a spiral, like a curl. The structure carries a new architectural message, and the
entire synagogue appears to be rising up like a spring.
The motive guiding the designers, from the Knafo Klimor Architects office, was the
shape of a scroll. The building was planned as a spiral creating a gradual shift from a
weekday to Shabbat, with the outside space directly confined with the prayer hall. The
final result undoubtedly reflects the concept it was based on.