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Entry portico of Kol Shalom, with the administrative and All photos © 2013, Alan Karchmer
sanctuary wing at left, and the educational wing at right.
Symbol of Faith:
Religious Imagery
Enriches Modern Synagogue
by G. Martin Moeller, Jr., Assoc. AIA
Anyone driving eastward on Darnestown Road near Montgomery transliterated as “he” in the Roman alphabet. The letter often
Avenue in Rockville, Maryland, is likely to catch a glimpse of the serves as a symbol for the word HaShem, meaning “the Name,”
distinctive entry portico of the new Kol Shalom synagogue. which is a term used by some Jews when referring to God in
Someone familiar with the history of modern architecture may non-liturgical contexts. Thus the portico, while a graceful
think the stucco-covered form to be a sculptural gesture remi- architectural flourish in its own right, is also a subtle yet
niscent of the work of certain mid-twentieth-century architects eloquent expression of the building’s sacred purpose.
such as Le Corbusier. A particularly attentive observer might
even note that the design of the portico allows for north-facing This seamless melding of architectural form and symbolism
clerestory windows over the lobby, admitting soft natural light is a hallmark of the new synagogue, which was designed by
to the interior. Others may just assume that the portico is a Shinberg.Levinas Architects. Throughout the building,
practical feature that protects visitors from the elements as they elements that may at first appear to be purely decorative often
enter the building. become quite meaningful when considered carefully or when
viewed at close range. The result is a rich visitor experience in a
In fact, the portico is all of those things, but it is much more. building of modest size and budget.
To members of Kol Shalom’s congregation, or indeed anyone
familiar with the Hebrew language, the form of the portico is “The idea was to create a building that is not just a place to
instantly recognizable as an abstraction of the Hebrew letter ה, pray, but a place to be—like a second home,” said Salo Levinas,
Assoc. AIA, a principal of Shinberg.Levinas. The congregation
44 SYMBOL OF FAITH
