Visualizing the Sacred: Herman Brookman, FAIA and Portland’s Congregation Beth Israel

Herman Brookman (1891 - 1973) arrived in Portland in the early 1920s from New York and embarked upon an impressive career. Among the landmark buildings he designed is the former Frank Estate, Fir Acres, now part of the Lewis & Clark College campus and the Harry A. Green residence in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. His most impressive project, however, turned out to be the only synagogue Brookman ever designed - Temple Beth Israel (1928) in Northwest Portland.

Architectural historian and cultural resources expert Henry Kunowski joins us for an in-depth look at Brookman's designs for Congregation Beth Israel, providing insight into Brookman's life and career along the way. In 2017, Kunowski co-curated with Kenneth Helphand, FASLA and Philip H. Knight emeritus professor of landscape architecture at the University of Oregon, an exhibit of Brookman's Temple Beth Israel drawings first displayed at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and in 2018 at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Eugene.

This lecture program is held at the Architectural Heritage Center - 701 SE Grand Avenue

Seating is Limited. Pre-Registration is Highly Recommended.

Parking is on-street (free on Saturdays) or in the parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue between SE Yamhill and Belmont Streets - just to the north of the Urbanite. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.

Image: Herman Brookman sketch for Temple Beth Israel, University of Oregon Libraries.