The Way of Splendor
Detail: Art Deco stained glass skylight by Payne Studios
For many years, the proudest and most visible symbol of Jewish Paterson was the Art Deco synagogue Temple Emanuel. As the building's 100th birthday approaches, it has been empty and unused for decades; a relic left by an earlier civilization.
Some of the building’s history can be seen at the indispensable Paterson KehilaLinks, as well as the site for the current Temple Emanuel of North Jersey.
I am indebted to the Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey for access to their archives. Warm thanks also to the extraordinary Art Deco photographer Randy Juster, who runs the very cool web site decopix.com.
--RG
Congregation Emanuel was first established in 1904. In 1928, Jacob Fabian, a vaudeville and movie theater owner, commissioned the noted Paterson architect Fred Wesley Wentworth to design a magnificent synagogue in the style of Fabian's ornate movie palaces.
A short film clip of the groundbreaking ceremony can be seen at the archives of the Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey.
The synagogue featured an octagonal sanctuary with bronze doors, a marble ark, 1,000 orchestra seats, 252 balcony seats, a 10,000 sq ft. theater, and an 8,000 sq ft.ballroom.
In addition to the superb - possibly unequaled - Art Deco stained glass that capped the temple’s 40 foot ceiling (page top), the sanctuary featured 21 stained glass windows depicting Biblical scenes. All glassworks were created by Payne Studios of Paterson, NJ, famous for many landmark houses of worship and its association with Tiffany studios.
The fate of these windows - gone from the building for many years - is somewhat hazy. Before they were removed, someone had the good sense to take a few snapshots, which became the source material for these image restorations. All stained glass photos appear courtesy of the Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey.
Jacob's ladder
Tree of knowledge
Land of milk and honey
Faithfulness and kindness
The eternal light
The burning bush
Scales of justice
Temple Emanuel
Stained glass skylight intact, date unknown
Skylight photographed in 2013
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