Tax Credit Program Highlight: Beth Yeshurun

History

The Beth Yeshurun Synagogue is the largest conservative synagogue in the United States and the second largest in the world. It hosts the oldest, continually active conservative Jewish congregation in Texas. The 1962 synagogue was designed by Eugene Werlin and Lenard Gabert & Associates to meet the religious, educational, and administrative needs of such a large congregation; it housed the Day School, the Beth Hayeled, the Sunday School, the Hebrew School, and the Hillel High School. Beth Yeshurun Synagogue has beautiful architectural details that highlight the structure’s religious significance: a 26-foot high stained glass of the burning bush; two large mosaics depicting Judaic symbols flanking the Bimah; and the eternal light above the Ark, designed by renowned Israeli artist DH Gumbel.

Rehabilitation Project

Located in the Meyerland neighborhood of Houston, Beth Yeshurun experienced significant flooding as a result of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The entire building, most of which is built at grade, flooded eight inches. The large main sanctuary slopes downward from the main floor level, towards the bimah, or stage. This allowed four feet of water to collect during the height of flooding. The historic tax credits were used to assist in flood-related repairs to the building. Historic fabric was repaired to the greatest extent possible. Non-historic finishes that had been replaced in previous years, were replaced in-kind. In addition, the project provided the opportunity to add accessibility upgrades, and a new ramp was designed to access the bimah.