The incredible ceiling of the sanctuary with murals that, “evoke the immigrant’s dream, the wanderer’s journey, the elder’s wisdom.”
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Built as a synagogue, the Bethel Community Transformation Center served the Jewish population in Detroit for decades.
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
After the riots in 1967, much of the Jewish community left for the suburbs, and building changed ownership after. Now the only active, free-standing Jewish synagogue in Detroit is the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue which is currently (2023) renovated.
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Ceiling details
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Ceiling details
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Albert Kahn designed this synagogue to be a home for the Temple Beth El congregation.
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
But the congregation later moved to Bloomfield Hills.
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The interior of the former Temple Beth El
Via Bethel Community Transformation Center
Beautiful ceiling detail
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A picture of the main chandalier
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Entrance hall by the main entrance facing Woodward Avenue
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Front entrance door
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Staircase to the balcony on the side of the sanctuary where the roof is leaking.
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Balcony seating
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Woodward view of the Bethel Community Transformation Center in March 2023
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Water damage as seen in late 2022
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Ornate door detail
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The roof on the Southeast corner of the building is leaking badly
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The Woodward Avenue facade of the former Temple Beth El
Photo by Justin Ames for Bethel Community Transformation Center
The interior of the former Temple Beth El
Via Bethel Community Transformation Center
The interior of the former Temple Beth El
Photo by Tom Hughes Photography for Bethel Community Transformation Center
The interior of the former Temple Beth El
Via Bethel Community Transformation Center
The Woodward Avenue facade of the former Temple Beth El
Jamie Feldman for Bethel Community Transformation Center
The interior of the former Temple Beth El
Ahmad Malik for Bethel Community Transformation Center
Photo by Alanna St. Laurent Photography (www.alannastlaurent.com)
Photo by Alanna St. Laurent Photography (www.alannastlaurent.com)
