The Beth Sholom Visitor Center, produced and designed by Picture Projects in collaboration with Venturi Scott Brown and Associates, is presented by the Beth Sholom Preservation Foundation, a non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the only Synagogue created by Frank Lloyd Wright to the highest possible standards for present and future generations, and to bring the remarkable stories of this place to a wide variety of audiences.
The Visitor Center features five different exhibits produced and designed by Alison Cornyn and her team at Picture Projects:
1) From Generation to Generation is an oral history exhibit that conveys the experience of multiple generations of members of the Beth Sholom Congregation through interactive displays that present their own words and images, vividly conveying life at Beth Sholom from the construction of the Frank Lloyd Wright building through to the present day.
2) Beth Sholom in Context traces three interwoven timelines, telling the story of American synagogue architecture, the life of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the history of the Beth Sholom Congregation and the construction of the Wright building. This exhibition features interactive kiosks that allow visitors to delve deeply into the history of the construction of the building, the creative conversation between Rabbi Cohen and Frank Lloyd Wright, and American synagogue architecture.
3) Conversations and Inspiration presents the remarkable working partnership of Rabbi Cohen and Frank Lloyd Wright through their original letters and Wright's architectural drawings, allowing visitors to experience the design process and the dynamic interaction of these two strong personalities in creating this landmark building.
4) 360 Degrees of Light brings this "Temple of Light" alive to visitors through all four seasons and in a wide range of conditions through a dynamic, navigable interface and beautiful panoramic photography ñ interior and exterior - experienced through a large, high-resolution display.
5) An American Synagogue: Frank Lloyd Wright, Mortimer Cohen and The Making of Beth Sholom, a 24 minute documentary film, written by James Sanders, tells the remarkable story of the building, from the early idea of a new synagogue to its creation, and how it arose through the efforts of Rabbi Cohen and Frank Lloyd Wright. The film features narration by Leonard Nimoy.
The Beth Sholom Visitor Center is at the Beth Sholom Syngaogue Beth Sholom Preservation Foundation
8231 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Phone: 215-887-1342
Fax: 215-887-6605
