St Kilda Shule hosts architectural historian
A self-taught artist, his first two books are filled with his paintings of the synagogues of India and Africa, a history and description of each of the communities, and photographs and images of every synagogue.
Professor Jay Waronker, an American architect and architectural historian, has for many years immersed himself in researching the field of diasporic synagogues in areas of the world outside the USA and Europe.
Waronker is currently in Australia visiting synagogues and working on his third book, Synagogues of Australia and New Zealand, which will include his renowned watercolour renderings of many of the buildings.
His portfolio of synagogue paintings has been widely exhibited throughout the USA and internationally.
A self-taught artist, his first two books are filled with his paintings of the synagogues of India and Africa, a history and description of each of the communities, and photographs and images of every synagogue.
He was the guest speaker at kiddush at St Kilda Shule after the service last Saturday.
St Kilda Shule president Janice Iloni-Furstenberg said, “It was a privilege to have hosted architectural historian and artist Professor Jay Waronker on Shabbat. He spoke glowingly about St Kilda Shule and its architectural prominence within Victoria.
“It’s especially heart-warming that Professor Waronker is visiting so many shules to capture the diversity of our many congregations and the rich tapestry of Jewish life within the many congregations in Australia,” she said.
“His precious books encapsulate and symbolise Jewish life and life cycles both present and past over the generations. Combining many shules together in one book is symbolic of our communities coming together and supporting each other during this difficult time for the Jewish people.”
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