Dome

View where wall and roof meet, center; This synagogue was commissioned by the Agoudas Hakehilos society composed of Orthodox Jews of primarily Russian origin, headed by Joseph Landau. The furnishings (luminaires, chandeliers, brackets, and benches) as well as the stylized vegetal decorations and the cast iron railings are all creations of Hector Guimard. This was the only religious building by this architect, who was known for his Art Nouveau designs. On the evening of Yom Kippur in 1941, the building was dynamited along with six other Parisian synagogues. It was subsequently restored and was registered as an monument historique by the French authorities on June 4, 1989. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 1/26/2008)