The Hampton Synagogue represents a radical departure in synagogue and sanctuary design. The entire project was conceived as an abstract retelling of the story of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. The entire eastern wall of the sanctuary is a sculptural mural, representing the theme of Sinaitic revelation. The windows and the Parochet/Ark cover envision the picture of a mountain on a Heavenly backdrop. The Parochet/Ark Curtain is made from brass, each piece painstakingly colored with natural patina resulting in the unique colorations of the composition. The design envelops the space and provides a dramatic setting replete with Biblical allusion, allowing the worshiper to make his or her own personal associations and connections. Observing the composition, one can feel the sky expanding and contracting, and the mountain itself shaking as the Cloud of Glory – in the form of the Eternal Light – descends upon the mountain. Yet, this is only the first level of the composition; Looking beyond this outer layer, the natural foliage on the outside of the building becomes an integral part of the entire panorama. Through the spaces of Parochet pieces, one can see the Ark, a 16 ton Jerusalem stone sculpture –literally and figuratively a ‘mountain within the mountain’. Housing the Torah Scrolls, this element is at the visual and contextual core of The Hampton Synagogue. Of the most famous homilies in Midrashic literature are those that relay the notion that somehow all of People of Israel- past, present and future- were all miraculously present at the Sinaitic Revelation, the giving of the Torah. In some way, all of us were there.
154 Sunset Ave, Westhampton Beach NY 11978
1994
Edward Jacobs
The architectural design of The Hampton Synagogue is meant to evoke a tent, hearkening back to the tent of the patriarch Abraham. Open and welcoming on all sides it is an inviting space and one that draws the visitor within. The wooden arches are meant to echo the inner structure of a tent, with the main support converged around the Central Bimah giving pivotal focus to that specific area and to the entire structure.
The Ark is opened in a rather unconventional manner: The stone suspended to the right of the Ark is pulled down, causing the bottom half of the Parochet/Ark Cover to rise.
Floating and rotating like an ethereal presence above the Ark is the The Ner-Tamid/Eternal Light. Constructed of slumped glass elements, this piece is meant to evoke associations to the Cloud of Glory as it descended upon Mount Sinai at the time of the Revelation. The furniture on the front Bimah, including the Rabbi’s Lecturn, The Rabbi’s and guest chairs, are fashioned from hand carved oak staves. Their unique and asymmetrical profiles lend further depth to the ‘mountain’ composition.
Frequently, the Mechitza dividing partition of a sanctuary -meant to separate the sexes during the prayer service in Orthodox environments -becomes an imposing presence in a sanctuary environment. Ever sensitive to the eclectic nature of this congregation, the Rabbinic leadership and advisors of the Hampton Synagogue were determined to find a balance between normative orthodox adherence as well as aesthetic and egalitarian considerations. Wishing to draw worshippers in, rather than drive them away, a lenient yet fully Orthodox approach was sanctioned and adopted in the Mechitza design. The Mechitza is constructed of bowed brass tubing, patinated in the same manner as the Parochet. It is in fact an extension of the Parochet, meandering like a river from the Eastern Wall back to the sanctuary entrance between the similarly sculpted Menorahs that frame the entrance to the Sanctuary.
The organization and layout of the seating in The Hampton Synagogue was purposeful from the outset. Rather than have a classical linear congregational formation, we wanted to provide a more directed focus toward the eastern nexus of the sanctuary and so created an arced seating arrangement.
The organization and layout of the seating in The Hampton Synagogue was purposeful from the outset. Rather than have a classical linear congregational formation, we wanted to provide a more directed focus toward the eastern nexus of the sanctuary and so created an arced seating arrangement.
Adorning the walls surrounding the ritual hand-washing station in the Kaylie Center, is a whimsical mosaic creation, recalling the advent of water taken from the Biblical narrative of Creation.
From the outset The Hampton Synagogue adopted a policy of maintaining all Donor Recognition outside of the sanctuary environs. Initially, all donors were listed on a large sculpture located directly opposite the main entrance to the Synagogue. This sculpture -called The Wave was also meant to provide further screening from the street for the Synagogue entrance. After many years of harsh sunlight and salt water, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the legibility of donor names, so new recognition boards were designed and fabricated and installed in the lobby. These new donor plaques are made from Jerusalem stone and sandblasted with the names of the Synagogues ever-growing benefactor family. The Wave sculpture is currently undergoing a slight transformation as the original plaques are being replaced with dichroic glass panels.
The “Speilberg” Torah, donated to the Synagogue by the acclaimed film-maker and director when he officiated at the Synagogues dedication ceremony, has been given a prominent place at the entrance of the Sanctuary. Owing to its origins, it is also meant to serve as a Holocaust memorial for the congregation. The Torah is standing in an acrylic case whose bottom section is a pictorial document illustrating the story of the synagogue dedication ceremony. The entire work rotates in its mount so that the complete scroll, and the pictorial material may be viewed from all angles.
The landscape of The Hampton Synagogue was designed in concert with overall building design in order to create a harmonious environment inside and out. Once on the grounds of Synagogue, one is enveloped by stunning natural foliage which insulates the campus from the surrounding environment creating a peaceful and tranquil oasis of spirituality. Brilliantly conceived by landscape designer Larry Schepps, The Hampton Synagogue grounds give balance and context to the facilities.
The Interior architectural design of The Hampton Synagogue is meant to evoke a tent, hearkening back to the tent of Abraham our Patriarch, open and welcoming on all sides to all who may come. The wooden arches echo the ropes of tension centered around the Bimah framed by the main beams which support and give pivotal focus to the entire structure.
The entire eastern wall of the sanctuary is a sculptural mural, representing the theme of Sinaitic revelation. The windows and the Parochet/Ark cover envision the picture of a mountain with the sky above it. The Parochet is made from brass and each pieces is custom patinated creating the unique colorations.
