Maltz Performing Arts Center facts for kids
Interior of the building, in 2017
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| Full name | Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center |
|---|---|
| Former names |
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| Address | 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 United States |
| Coordinates | 41°30′29″N 81°36′58″W / 41.50806°N 81.61611°W |
| Owner | Tifereth-Israel congregation |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Genre(s) | Theatre, music, seminars |
| Capacity | 1,200 people |
| Years active | since 2010 |
| Tenants | |
| Case Western Reserve University | |
| Temple–Tifereth Israel Silver Sanctuary |
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The Silver Sanctuary building in winter 2005
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Ownership | Tifereth-Israel congregation |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
 Location in Cleveland
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles R. Greco |
| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Architectural style |
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| General contractor | John Gill & Sons |
| Completed | 1924 |
| Construction cost | $1.5 million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity |
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| Dome(s) | Three |
| Dome height (outer) | 85 feet (26 m) |
| Dome dia. (outer) | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Materials | Indiana limestone, marble, ceramic tiles |
The Maltz Performing Arts Center is a cool place in Cleveland, where you can see amazing shows and events. It's officially called the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center. This historic building is located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University at 1855 Ansel Road.
This center is inside a beautiful old building that used to be a Reform Jewish synagogue. It was known by names like The University Temple or the Silver Sanctuary. Today, it's a main spot for music performances and special events for the university. The local Jewish community still uses a part of it for important religious holidays and special gatherings.
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The Historic 1924 Temple Building
This amazing building sits on a unique triangular piece of land. Workers started digging for its foundation on December 4, 1922. The first stone, called the cornerstone, was placed on May 13, 1923.
Building Design and Features
The Temple was designed by an architect named Charles R. Greco. He mixed two cool styles: Byzantine Revival and Romanesque Revival. Imagine a building that looks like it came from ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire!
It was built using strong materials like Indiana limestone and marble. The main part of the building, called the hexagonal sanctuary, has six sides. On top, there's a huge yellow-tiled dome that's about 90 feet (27 meters) wide. Two smaller domes stand next to the main entrance.
The building was finished in 1924 and cost about $1.5 million back then. It was officially opened during the High Holy Days from September 19-21. Inside the sanctuary, you can see three special stained glass windows. They were made by Arthur Szyk and show famous figures like Gideon, Samson, and Judah Maccabee. There's also a large pipe organ built by W. W. Kimball and Company for the opening.
Its History as a Synagogue
This building was the main synagogue for the Tifereth-Israel community until 1963. Important rabbis, Abba Hillel Silver and his son Daniel Jeremy Silver, led the congregation here for many years. In 1990, the synagogue was renamed the Silver Sanctuary to honor them.
Because of its history and unique design, The Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1974. This means it's a special building worth protecting!
The Temple's New Home in Beachwood
In 1963, the Temple Tifereth-Israel community opened a new synagogue in Beachwood. This new location is now their main place of worship. However, the original 1924 building is still owned by the congregation. They use it for special events, important holidays, and meetings.
Partnership with Case Western Reserve University
In March 2010, something exciting happened! Case Western Reserve University and The Temple Tifereth-Israel decided to work together. They created the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center. This project was made possible by a big donation of $12 million from the Maltz Family Foundation.
Renovations and New Spaces
The university planned to spend about $25.6 million to fix up the old building. They also needed $7 million for a special bridge to connect the building to the university campus. The architectural firm DLR Group worked on this huge project in different stages.
The renovations, finished in 2015, made the sanctuary perfect for music shows and lectures. It also kept its role as a place of worship. The project also added more space for the university's theater and dance programs.
Even more construction was completed in 2021. This added new performing arts areas, including two theaters. There are also shops for making sets and costumes, classrooms, storage, and offices for the university's Department of Theater. This department now helps manage these new spaces.
Temple Museum of Religious Art
The synagogue building is one of three places where you can see art from the Temple Museum of Religious Art. This museum is run by Temple-Tifereth Israel.
Other places to see their art include a gallery at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Temple Tifereth-Israel in Beachwood. The museum started in 1950. It was part of the 100th-anniversary celebration for The Temple-Tifereth Israel.
