Congregation Rodeph Shalom Renovation & Construction

Rodeph Shalom Sanctuary Restoration/Renovation
Project - 5765 (2004-2005)

Renovation and restoration of the Rodeph Shalom sanctuary is complete.

To review our weekly construction photos throughout the 2004/2005 renovation and restoration work, just click onto begin the photographic tour of the sanctuary renovations. Below the four photos on each page are links to each week's construction photos.

Awards for the Sanctuary Restoration/Renovation Project:

2006 American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania Design Award Citation of Merit

Presented to the Architect Team of Becker Winston Architects and Martin Jay Rosenblum, R.A. & Associates. In presenting the award, Adam Gross, FAIA, 2006 AIA PA Jury Chair said, "This is a beautiful project. The project involved a masterful investigation into what was. There were changes in seating arrangements and the bima, but the changes do not detract from the restoration. The jury felt that the lighting was beautifully done, as was the restoration of the acoustic fabric with asbestos removal."

The award was presented on March 28, 2006 in Harrisburg, PA in the Commonwealth's Capitol Rotunda by Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor, Catherine Baker Knoll.

2006 Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Grand Jury Preservation Award

Presented to Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Becker Winston Architects, Martin Jay Rosenblum RA & Associates, Unkefer Brothers Construction, Inc., John Canning Painting and Conservation Studios, David Flaharty, Grenwald Waldron Associates, and Julie Sloan.

The award was presented on May 3, 2006, in Philadelphia, PA at the Preservation Alliance's Thirteenth Annual Preservation Achievement Award Ceremony.

We've prepared two "virtual tours" of the sanctuary.

Click on November 23, 2004 Tour (188K) to see the full 360° panorama of the Rodeph Shalom sanctuary under construction before the scaffolding went up. In the tour you'll see we've removed the pews and rug, and are enclosing the ark for it's protection.
Click on June 15, 2005 Tour (7MB) to see the full 360° panorama of the Rodeph Shalom sanctuary under construction after the scaffolding went down. In the tour you'll see the new North and South doorways. This tour is prior to concrete pouring to change the floor taper to accomodate the new cross aisle and disabled person spaces within the pew below the cross aisle.

You'll need the latest version of Apple's Quicktime® in order to take the virtual tours. Once open, you can move the photo of the sanctuary right and left, or up and down, by holding down your mouse button (left button on Windows®) and moving the mouse where you want the photo to move. Using the controls at the bottom of the photo you can even zoom in and out.

For two years, the Building Task Force met to plan and execute the demanding and technically difficult task of restoring and improving the Rodeph Shalom Sanctuary. For more than a year the BTF met at least every other week for several hours at each session, and went on essential field trips, as necessary, all to ensure the restoration and improvements were accomplished properly, on time and within budget.

The members of the BTF are shown in the photograph. They are from left to right, Richard Winston (lead architect), Martin Rosenblum (lead architect), Susan Klehr, Jim Wiesenhutter (construction manager), Michael Hauptman (seated), Ed Goltz (construction site supervisor), Roy Feinberg (RS Executive Director), Ned Levi (seated), Susan Ryan (architect), and Tom Perloff. BTF members Richard Berkman and Jay Barnett were not available for this photograph.

As this immense project came to a close, even though this group would eschew it, it is time to thank these dedicated Rodeph Shalom members, and the professionals who supported them, for a job well done. We also owe thanks to the countless artisans and building trade work men and women who have completed the work.

Chapel Construction - 5762 (2002)

Renovations on the Rodeph Shalom chapel began in March, 2002 and we completed later that year in July.

We turned the chapel floor plan around. The new plan placed the Bema on the east wall. The Ark, Ner Talmid, and magnificent brass/stained glass light-sconces were restored. New ceiling light fixtures in keeping with the historical nature of the chapel were installed. A Frank Furness designed reader's table, from the Furness designed synagogue, consecrated in 1870, was restored and conserved, and is now used in the chapel.

You can view our photographic documentation of the renovations by visiting our chapel construction pages. Just click ontoto begin your photographic tour of these completed renovations. Below the four photos on each page are links to each week's construction photos.