Was it a declaration? The construction of Tel Aviv’s Great Synagogue in 1926 was in many ways an unofficial declaration that the Jews were in Palestine to stay. Now known as Or Jacob Synagogue, it is an Orthodox Jewish congregation. It stands at 110 Allenby Street in Tel Aviv.
Let’s delve into the story of Or Jacob Synagogue. It is a building that has witnessed Tel Aviv’s transformation. The synagogue’s history began in 1913. A cornerstone was laid on Yehuda Halevi Street for a Great Synagogue. However, construction was delayed. In 1914, an architectural competition took place for a new site on Allenby Street. Richard Michael won.
World War I broke out. Michael could not complete the project. Alexander Baerwald, a Jewish German architect, replaced him. Construction finally started in 1924 based on Yehuda Magidovitch’s plans. It was completed in 1926 with support from Baron Edmond James de Rothschild. Arpad Geuthe engineered the dome.
Until the Belz Great Synagogue was completed in Jerusalem, Or Jacob Synagogue was the largest in Israel. The dome-crowned exterior of the synagogue is impressive. It may seem a bit plain to some.
In 1969, architect Aryeh Elhanani modernized the synagogue. He added arches and updated the interior. This reflected contemporary tastes. The synagogue features intricate lighting. Its stained-glass windows replicate those lost in European synagogues during the Holocaust.
Ze’ev Rechter planned an Italian-style plaza around the synagogue in the late 1930s. Only part of the plan was executed. Following the King David Hotel bombing in 1946, weapons were found in the synagogue’s basement. The caretaker, Eliezer Neuman, was detained. British military authorities sentenced him to one year.
Or Jacob Synagogue hosted the magazine Synagogue from 1946 to 1948. In 1985, scenes from the film Alex Is Lovesick were filmed here. In 2016, restoration began to restore the synagogue’s original 1920s look. The municipality and a donation from Patrick Drahi funded it. The restoration is expected to be done in 2027. It will allow for better use as a municipal center. It will also serve for religious services, community activity, and tourism.
Originally, the synagogue was in the heart of Little Tel Aviv. Now, it is in the city’s bustling business and financial district. Due to demographic changes in the 1960s, its congregation dwindled. The main sanctuary is mainly used for Jewish weddings and special occasions. Daily services are held in a small synagogue on the lower level.
The Tel Aviv Foundation received a generous donation. It will restore and renovate the synagogue’s exterior façade. Work should begin in summer 2024. It should conclude around 2027. The proposed renovated interior will revive and honor the inclusive community focus. It will blend restored 1920s grandeur with modern amenities. This revitalization will preserve Tel Aviv’s architectural heritage.
Or Jacob Synagogue remains a landmark. It has stood at the heart of Tel Aviv-Yafo for over 95 years. Designed by architect Yehuda Magidovitch, it was envisioned as a central gathering place. It welcomes people across the religious and identity spectrum. Or Jacob Synagogue is a staple of the city’s spirit of inclusive openness.