The Rose Window
The Foundation Stone of the New West End Synagogue was laid on June 7th. 1877 by Mr. Leopold de Rothschild in the presence of the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler, and the building was formally opened on March 30th. 1879. The total cost of construction, including the site, amounted to £24,980 which was raised by private contributions and with the help of the United Synagogue, of which the New West End is a constituent Synagogue...As time went on, various alterations and improvements were introduced. During the 1890s the walls were faced with alabaster slabs relieved by the finest Cipallino marble from Saillin in the Rhone Valley. The marble and alabaster pulpit and the marble railing in front of the Ark were also installed, while the octagonal iron columns were covered in marble so skilfully that it is virtually impossible to distinguish them from solid marble. About the same time electric lighting was installed, replacing the original gas lamps, examples of which can still be seen inside the Synagogue above each of the doors.
A notable feature of the internal decoration is to be found in the texts that adorn the walls. This idea was not new, being found in mediaeval Synagogues. There were originally nineteen texts; at a later date those on the side walls of the Gallery were added. The texts concentrate on the ideas of Divine knowledge and worship, as well as practice, duty and love. Most of the quotations are from the Psalms, and were selected by the late Rev. Simeon Singer, Minister of the Synagogue from its consecration until his death in 1906.
The beauty of the Synagogue is enhanced by the magnificent stained glass windows, which were designed and made by N H J Westlake, one of the foremost authorities in England on stained glass windows and mosaics. The rose window above the Ark, executed by Erwin Bossanyi in 1937 in memory of Emma, Lady Rothschild, illustrates numerous aspects of Jewish ritual and tradition, while the centres of the side windows are all different, the framework remaining constant.
[NewWestEnd.org.uk]
The Rose Window
The Foundation Stone of the New West End Synagogue was laid on June 7th. 1877 by Mr. Leopold de Rothschild in the presence of the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler, and the building was formally opened on March 30th. 1879. The total cost of construction, including the site, amounted to £24,980 which was raised by private contributions and with the help of the United Synagogue, of which the New West End is a constituent Synagogue...As time went on, various alterations and improvements were introduced. During the 1890s the walls were faced with alabaster slabs relieved by the finest Cipallino marble from Saillin in the Rhone Valley. The marble and alabaster pulpit and the marble railing in front of the Ark were also installed, while the octagonal iron columns were covered in marble so skilfully that it is virtually impossible to distinguish them from solid marble. About the same time electric lighting was installed, replacing the original gas lamps, examples of which can still be seen inside the Synagogue above each of the doors.
A notable feature of the internal decoration is to be found in the texts that adorn the walls. This idea was not new, being found in mediaeval Synagogues. There were originally nineteen texts; at a later date those on the side walls of the Gallery were added. The texts concentrate on the ideas of Divine knowledge and worship, as well as practice, duty and love. Most of the quotations are from the Psalms, and were selected by the late Rev. Simeon Singer, Minister of the Synagogue from its consecration until his death in 1906.
The beauty of the Synagogue is enhanced by the magnificent stained glass windows, which were designed and made by N H J Westlake, one of the foremost authorities in England on stained glass windows and mosaics. The rose window above the Ark, executed by Erwin Bossanyi in 1937 in memory of Emma, Lady Rothschild, illustrates numerous aspects of Jewish ritual and tradition, while the centres of the side windows are all different, the framework remaining constant.
[NewWestEnd.org.uk]