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Brawer & Hauptman, architects, architect, Philadelphia architects, healthcare architects, synagogue architects, church architects, primary care facility architects, mid-Atlantic, east coasts
Exterior Photos: Alexander Barkoff
Beth Israel Congregation
Metairie, LA
This Modern Orthodox congregation with a long history in the New Orleans Jewish community lost its building to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The new 6,000-square-foot structure has a flexible multipurpose space that includes a sanctuary that seats 70 for weekly services and expands into the adjacent social hall for the High Holidays. The building has two class/meeting rooms, an administrative suite and a kosher kitchen. The building’s interior is warm and inviting. The sanctuary and social hall spaces are lined with bookcases and open onto a private outdoor garden. The Ark and mechitzah design is based on the forms found in the original bema rail. The exterior takes its cues from New Orleans vernacular architecture.