Location: Spring Valley, New York
Architect: Alden B. Dow
Temple Beth El in Spring Valley, New York, is one of two Jewish temples designed by Alden B. Dow and his only built structure in that state. He designed the Bay City Jewish Center in 1955, and a brief letter dated June 25, 1960, marks the beginning of correspondence between Mr. Dow and the rabbi of the Spring Valley congregation. The initial design development drawings for the temple were dated 1962 and proposed a 24,000 square foot diamond-shaped floorplan with seating for 300 at a cost estimate of nearly $440,000.
Based on changes requested by the building committee, Mr. Dow devised an entirely new scheme in January 1963 for a 34,000 square foot building with a cost of $620,000. After extensive revisions, working drawings showing a more traditional rectangular floorplan were completed in May 1964. The new temple was dedicated in 1965.
The brick exterior of the one-story building is capped by a stucco spandrel that accentuates its horizontal appearance. The roof is flat except for an elevated portion at one end. Projecting slightly outward and upward from that portion is a stucco cube. At its center is a Star of David that stretches eight feet across from point to point and is made of aluminum.
Set in the middle of the brick façade is a large entrance gate with an open square design that leads into a garden courtyard and the entrance to the temple.
The main sanctuary is set under the elevated part of the roof with bands of square windows above brick side walls. The congregation faces a simple brick wall with a floor to ceiling oak cabinet or ark for the torah scrolls in the center. On the wall to the left of the ark are three-foot tall menorah lights.
The most unique feature of this room, however, is its ceiling. In the center of it are three intersecting circles, each 14 feet in diameter. A six-foot tall clear plastic sculpture is suspended from the opening at the center of the circles. The sculpture is lit from above and represents the Eternal Light. Records show that it was created by Midland artist Charles Breed in 1966.
In addition to the main sanctuary, the temple includes a smaller sanctuary, several classrooms, a kindergarten, youth lounge, kitchen, offices and a social hall with a stage. For the stage, Mr. Dow designed a colorful abstract banner curtain.
The temple had over 1,000 members at its peak in the late 1980’s and early 90’s. By 2015, the congregation’s declining membership necessitated a merger with and relocation to another temple. The Temple Beth El building was put up for auction in May 2016 with an opening bid of $6.7 million. It is currently the home of a private Jewish school affiliated with the United Talmudical Academy of Spring Valley.
