Garnethill Synagogue

Garnethill Synagogue is the historic 'cathedral synagogue' of Scotland. It is located in Garnethill, Glasgow. ArchitectureThe synagogue was built in the period of 1879-81. It was designed by John McLeod of Dumbarton, in conjunction with London-based architect Nathan Solomon Joseph of the United Synagogue. McLeod designed a number of churches and public buildings in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, including the Women’s Christian Association in Bath Street, Glasgow. The building's exterior is Romanesque revival. The basilica-form, orientalist style interior features Byzantine revival detail. As the main building stands between east and west, the apse in the interior stands towards the east facing Garnet Street. This accords with customs within Jewish religion to face Jerusalem in the east whilst praying. Likewise, the Torah ark is positioned at the east end of the synagogue, which is faced whilst praying. Particularly notable is the splendid Torah Ark, designed by Nathan S. Joseph, it closely resembles the Ark he designed for London's New West End Synagogue. Both Arks are raised on platforms, approached by a series of circular, marble steps and project into the room in the form is a multi-domed and arched building. The main entrance doorway is eight feet wide. Carved in the stone above in Hebrew, is Devarim (Deuteronomy) Chapter 32, verse 12. The English translation is "God alone let him, and there was no strange God with him". The numerical value of the Hebrew letters used in this verse adds up to the date of the foundation of the building.

Garnethill Synagogue is the historic 'cathedral synagogue' of Scotland. It is located in Garnethill, Glasgow. ArchitectureThe synagogue was built in the period of 1879-81. It was designed by John McLeod of Dumbarton, in conjunction with London-based architect Nathan Solomon Joseph of the United Synagogue. McLeod designed a number of churches and public buildings in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, including the Women’s Christian Association in Bath Street, Glasgow. The building's exterior is Romanesque revival. The basilica-form, orientalist style interior features Byzantine revival detail. As the main building stands between east and west, the apse in the interior stands towards the east facing Garnet Street. This accords with customs within Jewish religion to face Jerusalem in the east whilst praying. Likewise, the Torah ark is positioned at the east end of the synagogue, which is faced whilst praying. Particularly notable is the splendid Torah Ark, designed by Nathan S. Joseph, it closely resembles the Ark he designed for London's New West End Synagogue. Both Arks are raised on platforms, approached by a series of circular, marble steps and project into the room in the form is a multi-domed and arched building. The main entrance doorway is eight feet wide. Carved in the stone above in Hebrew, is Devarim (Deuteronomy) Chapter 32, verse 12. The English translation is "God alone let him, and there was no strange God with him". The numerical value of the Hebrew letters used in this verse adds up to the date of the foundation of the building.