Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation


The Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation is a synagogue in Lansdowne, Bournemouth, England.

History

The congregation was formed in 1905. Albert Samuel, brother of Herbert Samuel, laid the cornerstone of the current synagogue, which was built in 1911.

Architecture

The curvaceous roof line and window shape reveal what would have been a very contemporary Art Nouveau take on the Moorish Revival style that was extremely popular for synagogues. The squat tower with its square dome and "attractive interlocking window arcade" mark the original entrance. The horseshoe-arched windows to the left are also part of the original facade. The new entrance, to the right of the tower, and barrel-vaulted interior with a ladies' gallery is the result of a 1957–62 expansion. The Torah Ark, also dating from the 1960s, is a mosaic design by craftsmen from Florence intended to echo the Temple of Solomon by featuring the Biblical columns Boaz and Jachin.