Thursday, September 15, 2005
Academy gets Jewish chapel
The breathtaking mix of a modern and classically designed facility made of Jerusalem stone can easily leave you in awe when entering the Naval Academy’s newest addition — the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel.
The $10 million center is the newest spiritual home for Navy’s midshipmen.
“This is not just a synagogue for Jewish midshipmen, it’s for the entire midshipmen brigade,” said Navy Rabbi Irving Elson, who noted that less than two percent of midshipmen are Jewish.
“The chapel is a learning tool,” said Elson, who looks at the chapel as a place that will support the moral development of midshipmen. “We want every midshipman to know that this is their home.”
Capt. John Pasko, director of officer development, believes the location will be key in bringing half of the brigade through the center on a daily basis. He is hopeful students will stop by to worship while coming from the dining hall on the way to their dormitories.
However, the 410 occupancy chapel, that has a balcony for additional seating, will only conduct Jewish worship services. It also includes a learning center, fellowship hall, classroom and the office of the Academy’s Honor Board.
The outside is just as intriguing as the inside with a more traditionally inspired garden facade, an octagonal pavilion and a mosaic dome, which Elson compared to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.
Joseph A. Boggs, of Boggs & Partners Architects, designed the facility after spending time in Israel and described it as a moving place.
Boggs, who is not Jewish, says he was inspired by the stone of early Israel while completing the eight-year project.
“I wanted to do something that no one has ever seen anywhere,” he said. “It’s designed to touch people, make them think and make them feel good.”
He says the greatest reward is inspiring someone and building character, whether Jewish or not.
“It’s like watching the birth of a new child,” he said. “It humbles you just to be a part of this.”
Levy, for whom the chapel is named, became a Naval Officer in 1812 and eventually received the Navy’s highest rank by a Jewish naval officer, at that time — Commodore. He was described as being very proud of his faith and faced six naval court-martials for conflicts with fellow officers over anti-Semitic insults. He was reinstated each time. One of his heroes was Thomas Jefferson.
Midshipmen of varying faiths have previously worshipped in the 120-seat All Faiths Chapel, located inside the building adjacent to the new facility.
Jewish midshipmen and their guests outgrew the facility and began a campaign to put the Naval Academy on equal footing with the other major service academies, which offer a place for Jewish students to worship.
Planning began in 1997, the project was approved by the Naval Academy in 1999 and construction started in November 2003. The building was built by Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.
The 35,000 square foot facility, which will be officially dedicated on Sunday, was funded entirely by more than 2,800 donors.
While Star of David illuminates the atrium, it’s the words of Levy that are inscribed on a clear pane at the entrance to the chapel.
“I will by my deeds make it easier for those who come after and would serve as I serve.”
http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1104878.php
The breathtaking mix of a modern and classically designed facility made of Jerusalem stone can easily leave you in awe when entering the Naval Academy’s newest addition — the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel.
The $10 million center is the newest spiritual home for Navy’s midshipmen.
“This is not just a synagogue for Jewish midshipmen, it’s for the entire midshipmen brigade,” said Navy Rabbi Irving Elson, who noted that less than two percent of midshipmen are Jewish.
“The chapel is a learning tool,” said Elson, who looks at the chapel as a place that will support the moral development of midshipmen. “We want every midshipman to know that this is their home.”
Capt. John Pasko, director of officer development, believes the location will be key in bringing half of the brigade through the center on a daily basis. He is hopeful students will stop by to worship while coming from the dining hall on the way to their dormitories.
However, the 410 occupancy chapel, that has a balcony for additional seating, will only conduct Jewish worship services. It also includes a learning center, fellowship hall, classroom and the office of the Academy’s Honor Board.
The outside is just as intriguing as the inside with a more traditionally inspired garden facade, an octagonal pavilion and a mosaic dome, which Elson compared to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.
Joseph A. Boggs, of Boggs & Partners Architects, designed the facility after spending time in Israel and described it as a moving place.
Boggs, who is not Jewish, says he was inspired by the stone of early Israel while completing the eight-year project.
“I wanted to do something that no one has ever seen anywhere,” he said. “It’s designed to touch people, make them think and make them feel good.”
He says the greatest reward is inspiring someone and building character, whether Jewish or not.
“It’s like watching the birth of a new child,” he said. “It humbles you just to be a part of this.”
Levy, for whom the chapel is named, became a Naval Officer in 1812 and eventually received the Navy’s highest rank by a Jewish naval officer, at that time — Commodore. He was described as being very proud of his faith and faced six naval court-martials for conflicts with fellow officers over anti-Semitic insults. He was reinstated each time. One of his heroes was Thomas Jefferson.
Midshipmen of varying faiths have previously worshipped in the 120-seat All Faiths Chapel, located inside the building adjacent to the new facility.
Jewish midshipmen and their guests outgrew the facility and began a campaign to put the Naval Academy on equal footing with the other major service academies, which offer a place for Jewish students to worship.
Planning began in 1997, the project was approved by the Naval Academy in 1999 and construction started in November 2003. The building was built by Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.
The 35,000 square foot facility, which will be officially dedicated on Sunday, was funded entirely by more than 2,800 donors.
While Star of David illuminates the atrium, it’s the words of Levy that are inscribed on a clear pane at the entrance to the chapel.
“I will by my deeds make it easier for those who come after and would serve as I serve.”
http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1104878.php
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