This is a remarkable synagogue. It was given to the City of Subotica (pronounce Soo-boh-tih-tza) a few years ago because the maintenance expense was just too great for the 200 Jews who live in the area. This town was once part of Yugoslavia. The restoration of the building cost the government over 2 million Euros.
It serves now as a museum and concert space most of the year, but is used for high holiday services. It is the second largest synagogue in Europe. It was designed by a Hungarian architect JAKAB, DEZSÖ who wanted to build a Temple Palace. It is an extraordinaty piece of architecture that feels less palatial and more of an inviting space for prayer. It is quite showy and extravagant. It's something I think the Jews of the area wanted as a show piece...kind of a "we're Jews, we're here, we can create beautiful things....deal with it."
There were seats for 950 men and 530 seats for women. Touring the building now, it isn't clear which area was which...there is no obvious
mechitzah.
Stay tuned for interior shots...probably tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment