-26th in a Series–
Exit 10, College Avenue, San Diego ~ Temple Emanu-El
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Temple Emanu-El, swathed in Jerusalem stone, houses a Reform congregation that has occupied this property in the Del Cerro neighborhood since 1978. Initially, there was a former Baptist church where the courtyard and sanctuary stand today. After some remodeling that original building served Temple Emanu-El’s membership until 2007, when it was razed to make way for this edifice designed by the late La Jolla architect David Raphael Singer with input from Rabbi Martin S. Lawson and a temple committee.
The interior designer was Laurie Gross Schaefer of Santa Barbara, who has helped to beautify and delineate Jewish sacred spaces throughout the United States. Besides at Temple Emanu-El, her work in San Diego County may be seen at Congregation Beth Israel and at Temple Adat Shalom. Temple Emanu-El’s architectural theme is expressed by a quotation from the Prophet Amos (5:24) that hangs in the vestibule: “Let Justice Roll Down as Waters; Righteousness as a Mighty Stream.”
On a courtyard wall, there is a waterfall of recycled water; the blue carpeting in the sanctuary and in the social hall undulate in wave-like pattern; and the doors of the Aron Kodesh, backed by blue curtains, resemble a water surface or waterfall glistening in the sunlight. Amos’ words are repeated above the door of the Aron Kodesh, but in Hebrew. The element of water is contrasted with that of fire by the Ner Tamid, which is solar powered descending from a skylight.
Rabbi Morton J. Cohn parted in 1964 from Congregation Beth Israel, which he had served as Senior Rabbi since the end of World War II. Along with his wife Sally, who became the first Sisterhood president, he and some devoted followers from Beth Israel started Temple Emanu-El that year in quarters rented from the Rolando Methodist Church at 4876 Seminole Drive. In 1976, Rabbi Marin S. Lawson joined Rabbi Cohn, serving as the assistant rabbi and educator for two years.
In 1978 when the congregation moved to Del Cerro, Rabbi Cohn retired as senior rabbi and was succeeded by his associate, Rabbi Lawson, who remained as the senior rabbi until his own retirement in June 2012. Cohn, as founding rabbi, remained an important part of the congregation and it was for him that in 1990 the Torah School was named in an educational complex shared with the Price Family Pre-School. Today, Rabbi Lawson, as rabbi emeritus, continues in the tradition of being an asset to his successor. She is Rabbi Devorah Marcus, who was selected by the congregation following a year of interim service rendered by Rabbi Richard Shapiro.
The rebuilt sanctuary building was dedicated in September 2008, after congregants spent 17 months worshiping at temporary facilities at First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley. The dedication festivities drew San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders; Congresswoman Susan Davis, who is a member of the Jewish community and Temple Emanu-El; Councilman Jim Madaffer, and two Jewish candidates for elective office, who were successful that November: Marty Block and Marti Emerald. Block, then president of the San Diego Community College Board, subsequently was elected to the state Assembly, and some years later to the state Senate. Emerald, a former “troubleshooter” newscaster for KGTV-Channel 10, was elected to the San Diego City Council, succeeding the termed-out Madaffer.
Also present was architect Singer who once was asked by the La Jolla Light who or what inspires him. He responded: “Irving Gill and Luis Barragon for the timeless quality of thier buildings; Simon Rodia, the builder of Watts Tower, which expresses the idiosyncratic and poetic vision that an individual can achieve; Studs Terkel, the interviewer of ordinary people with extraordinary stories; Abraham Heschel, the 20th century Jewish philosopher and civil rights acitivst; the archeological remains of the Southwest Indians, the Mayans, the Incas, the Nabateans (Petra); the courtyard houses of Mexico and the Middle and Far East; and the variety and splendor of nature (i.e. the Galapagos, Ana-Borrego Desert and the seals at Children’s Cove.)”
Describing the dedication ceremony for San Diego Jewish World, Sheila Orysiek, a congregant, wrote: “The mild evening, typical of San Diego, added to the beauty of the Temple courtyard which was filled with the happy people, groaning tables of catered food, laughter and chatter. The Jerusalem stone with which the building is faced was lit with mellow landscaped lighting to echo the golden glow of the Western Wall as it is lit at night in Israel’s ancient capital. Enclosing the courtyard is more Jerusalem stone interspersed with vines, leaves and pomegranates in wrought iron with water streaming down one wall in a soft murmur. The wrought iron gates into the courtyard are a sculpted menorah but though the courtyard is thus ‘enclosed’ it is not enclosing.”
In September 2015, Jewish Family Service’s College Avenue Center moved from Beth Jacob Congregation to Temple Emanu-El. As a result, the social hall, lobby, board room, and sanctuary are in use throughout the week.
{From the College Avenue exit, proceed north on College Avenue to left turn on Del Cerro Boulevard. As you start up the hill, the buildings on the left are the Temple Emanu-El synagogue and school complex at 6299 Capri Drive.)
Next: JFS College Avenue Center
Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com