The Cymbalista Synagogue And Jewish Heritage Center, Tel Aviv, Israel 1996-1998

Mario Botta has become the world's foremost architect of churches and museums. To a series of great buildings that have been dubbed fortresses of art and culture he has added his first synagogue, a remarkable building that masterfully interprets the fundamentals of the Jewish religion. With the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center at Tel Aviv University Mario Botta is considered to have created a breakthrough in synagogue construction. Strikingly modern in style it is unencumbered by reminiscences and tradition, but still succeeds in providing a comforting feeling of protection. Several of its structural elements are symbolic: the two columns at the main entrance are reminiscent of Solomon's Temple, light comes in only from above, and there are no decorations or windows to distract from prayer.