Robert Jan van Pelt on his book “How Beautiful Are Your Dwelling Places, Jacob”

Classi Lectures in conjunction with Beth Tikvah Synagogue bring you

How Beautiful Are Your Dwelling Places, Jacob – An Atlas of Jewish Space, and a Synagogue for Babyn Yar
by Robert Jan van Pelt, Mark Podwal, Manuel Herz.

In commemoration of the Babi Yar massacre, a synagogue designed in the shape of a book will open on the same site in 2021. When opened, the book building’s inner space and its furnishings unfold. Designed by Manuel Herz, this book for the first time shows the Babyn Yar synagogue captured in photographs by celebrated architectural photographer Iwan Baan, as well as through plans and model photos.

Yet the core part of the book tells the story of the Jewish people and of Judaism through the medium of space: the Jewish concept of space from biblical times to the present. This story is told through 135 brief and engaging texts by Robert Jan van Pelt, a leading Holocaust researcher and professor of architecture. Each of these reflections is illustrated with drawings and watercolours by New York-based artist Mark Podwal, who is known for his illustration of Elie Wiesel’s works.

A donation for the author fund would be appreciated.