The Rabbi Dr. I. Goldstein Synagogue, a structure often compared to a concrete puffball hovering above rocky terrain, stands as a defining example of the modernist contributions made by David Resnick to the Israeli landscape. His career transitioned from early training under Oscar Niemeyer in Brazil to a significant legacy in Jerusalem, where he shaped both monumental civic architecture and residential urban environments.
From Rio de Janeiro to Jerusalem
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1924, Resnick spent his formative years in a secular Zionist household. Before completing his education, he secured a position in the office of Oscar Niemeyer, a foundational experience that instilled in him the principles of modernism. After immigrating to Israel in 1949, he lived on Kibbutz Ein Hashofet for two years before moving to Tel Aviv to work with Zeev Rechter. By 1958, he had established his own practice in Jerusalem, eventually bridging the architectural styles of the British Mandate period with the developing capital of a new state.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Defining Architectural Works
Resnick’s portfolio features institutional landmarks such as the Einstein Institute of Mathematics and the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. His competition-winning design for Yad Kennedy, a memorial honoring John F. Kennedy, employs a 60-foot tall structure shaped like a felled tree to symbolize a life ended prematurely. Beyond national memorials, he designed the Israel National Academy of Sciences, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and the Moshe Castel Museum of Art. His international presence included the Israeli embassy in Rio de Janeiro and the Israel Pavilion for Expo '67 in Montreal.
Urban Planning Contributions
Beyond individual buildings, Resnick influenced the development of several Israeli communities. His work in urban planning encompassed neighborhoods in Beit Shemesh, Modi'in, and Hatzor Haglilit. A notable early project was the Nayot neighborhood, constructed between 1959 and 1962. Designed specifically for immigrants from English-speaking countries, the project balanced individual interior autonomy with external structural uniformity, successfully integrating the community into the surrounding mountain landscape.
Legacy and Recognition
Throughout his career, Resnick held leadership roles, including director of the Israeli Architects Association and faculty positions at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. His contributions earned him the Israel Prize in 1995 and the Rechter Prize. In 2005, a retrospective at the Genia Schreiber University Art Gallery highlighted his humanist approach to modernism. Resnick passed away on November 4, 2012, and was buried at the Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem.
Fast facts
- Born: 1924, Rio de Janeiro
- Died: 2012, Jerusalem
- Citizenship: Brazil and Israel
- Professional Recognition: Israel Prize (1995)
- Significant Early Employer: Oscar Niemeyer
- Notable Memorial: Yad Kennedy
- Burial Site: Har HaMenuchot
- Language: Hebrew
Questions readers ask
What characterized Resnick's architectural style?
He is noted for incorporating modernist, clean, and stark elements into his designs while ensuring coherence with the local environment and human comfort.
Did Resnick work outside of Israel?
Yes, he designed the Israeli embassy in Rio de Janeiro and co-created the Israel Pavilion for the 1967 Expo in Montreal.
Achievements
- Israel Prize
.jpg)