Probably the most beautiful building I have every explored is this Synagogue. I wish I had a chance to see it myself before all of the vandalism occurred,but this is what was there. The below ground portion had a library and classrooms that I wish I had been able to take pictures of, but the smell in the air was unbreathable to the point that I had to run out.
The last picture is of what I thought was the lunch room, with incredibly deep pits in it. Good lesson for me at least to watch my step, as I would have fallen into it for sure if I hadn't turned my light on. I guess I don't expect to fall through the floor when i'm below ground.

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So beautiful. I have always wanted to check out an abandoned synagogue. Many thanks for sharing.

That was on the Open House Chicago list a number of years ago.



Their website is still up, but the rabbi mentioned on the site was fired in 2014 when he was prosecuted for embezzling $17,000 worth of donations. He was acquitted at trial.

http://www.chicago...0140903-story.html

I did do some research on the place but didn't come across this so thanks,and also for reminding me of OHC just in time, guess I know what i'm doing in a few weekends.

Really nice shots. It is a treasure and I have had the pleasure of spending a lot of time inside (with permission and by other means). Being that I am an Orthodox Jew I can fill you in on 2 tidbits. The Hebrew writing on pic #2 translates to, “Know Before Whom You Stand.” It’s above a “cabinet” where the Torah (first 5 books of the Old testament written in Hebrew on parchment) were kept. The room on the ground floor with the tables and chairs was both a social hall used for communal meeting and meals and also served as a chapel for services during the week when they didn’t need to actually use the sanctuary, which held almost 2000 people.

The building as actually sold in May of 2016 to a multifamily unit developer who is planning on on turning the property into a 40 unit building and preserving as much of the facade as possible. It pretty much hasn’t been touched by the owners except for securing the points of entry that lead to a lot of vandalism over the past 16 months.

That phrase “Know Before Whom You Stand” really packs a punch. It really is a shame that this temple ended up in such a state. The entire mood of the building was different from anything I have experienced, so much history inside if a few walls, I only wish such a place hadn't gone through so much to get to let me experience this.