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Alexander Sharove

Photo of Sharove published in 1931

Alexander Sharove is best remembered for his synagogue designs, though like most architects he took a wide variety of jobs that also included apartment buildings, private houses, and at least one nightclub. But with good reason he is remembered as Western Pennsylvania’s premier synagogue architect. Throughout his life, Sharove was sincerely religious, an active participant in his congregation (Tree of Life) and a scholar of Jewish tradition who was noted for his thorough knowledge of Hebrew. When he designed a synagogue, he was able to articulate the reasons for every element of the design by citing the ancient traditions as well as the modern practicalities.

Sharove came to Pittsburgh from Richmond, Virginia, to study at Carnegie Tech. He stayed here, apparently encouraged by his old professor Henry Hornbostel, with whom he worked on two prominent synagogues when he was only a few years out of school. It certainly didn’t hurt that he found a wife here and became part of the Pittsburgh Jewish social scene. But he was devoted to his family, including his extended family, and made frequent visits to Richmond and other places where relatives lived. One of his few designs outside western Pennsylvania was the Beth El synagogue in Richmond.

We have ventured to build a timeline of Alexander Sharove’s life, which we offer as preliminary research to any graduate student who would like to make Sharove a thesis project.

1893: Born; grew up in Richmond.

1919: Sharove graduates from Carnegie Tech.

1919-06-06: Engaged to Ada Mae Bloch.

1919-12-26: Represents Tech Alumni at Phi Epsilon Pi national convention in Pittsburgh.

1920-06-28: Sharove and Ada Bloch married.

At some point around here he formed a partnership with Philip Friedman.

1922-04-07: Sharove and Hornbostel speak to the Beth Shalom congregation on their new community building—Sharove & Friedman, architects; Henry Hornbostel, consultant.

Architects’ rendering of the Beth Shalom community building.

The community building is the older of the two buildings that make up the Beth Shalom complex. We can imagine that the congregation wanted to support the young Jewish architect, but wanted the assurance of someone reputable to back him up. Enter his old professor Henry Hornbostel, already noted for one of America’s most admired synagogues, and willing to lend his expertise as consultant.

At the same time, Sharove & Friedman were working with Hornbostel on B’nai Israel on Negley Avenue. There has been much debate about who was responsible for the designs. From the primary sources, backed up by more recent architectural historians, it seems that Hornbostel was the primary designer of B’nai Israel, and Sharove the primary designer of Beth Shalom. Sharove & Friedman are usually listed as “associate architects” for B’nai Israel; Hornbostel is listed as “consultant” for Beth Shalom. We should mention, however, that in 1989 Sharove’s daughter wrote a letter insisting that he was the real designer of B’nai Israel. Her conclusive evidence, however, was that Sharove & Friedman were “architects of record,” which does not mean what she thought it meant.

1922-11-03 Sharove joins College Men’s Club.

1923-02-02 Sharove presents plan for Beth El in Beechview.

1923-03-23 Sharove explains architecture of new synagogue to B’nai Israel Sisterhood.

1923-08-10 Beth Shalom dedication exercises.

1923-09-08 Sharove & Friedman design Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wylie Avenue at Francis Street, Hill District.

Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church.

1924-10-04 Sharove & Friedman design chapel for Jewish cemetery in McKees Rocks.

1925-06-26 Sharove donates prizes for Sunday-school essays at Tree of Life.

1926-05-30 Normlee Gardens advertised; design services by Sharove & Friedman come with each lot.

1929-05-15 Sharove announces dissolution of partnership with Friedman, taking over the business of the former partnership.

1929-06-14 Sharove is architect for Ruth Gardens, now under construction.

Sharove’s rendering of Ruth Gardens.

1929-09-13 Ruth Gardens opens.

1930-10-10 Sharove runs ad in Jewish Criterion, with drawing of house.

1931-07-24 Sharove listed as only architect at dedication of Beth Shalom. This is the second and larger of the two buildings.

1935-11-01 Sharove appointed to sculpture award jury at Carnegie Tech.

1936-11-11 Sharove designs Stanley Hohenstein house at 1230 Murdoch Road.

Stanley Hohenstein house.

1946-11-22 Jackie Heller’s Carousel nightclub downtown on Liberty Avenue opens; Alexander Sharove, architect.

1946-12-06 Sharove named associate in new Tree of Life.

1948-09-17 New B’nai Emunoh going up; Alexander Sharove, architect.

1948-11-05 Opening ceremonies scheduled for B’nai Emunoh, Alexander Sharove, architect.

1949-08-19 Tree of Life building fund drive resumes.

1951-09-21 Beth Zion in Johnstown dedicated. Also, Sharove designs Rodef Shalom in Johnstown.

1953-12-25 Tree of Life dedicating perpetual light, with portrait of and remarks by Sharove.

1954-02-13 Sharove one of architects on Talbot Towers public housing in Braddock.

1955-01-14 Sharove and Harry Lefkowitz speak to Rodef Shalom Sisterhood on the new building they have designed for Rodef Shalom.

1955-10-03 Death of Alexander Sharove.