bevis marks synagogue, london

built in 1699-1701 by the quaker carpenter joseph avis, roughly following the model of amsterdam's great synagogue, details being provided either by avis or henry ramsey. it could on first sight be mistaken for any towerless city church or chapel, and is the oldest extant synagogue left in britain. in the foreground is the bimah, the platform from which the torah is read, and beyond is the reredos-like echal or ark, which houses the scrolls. above are the seven brass chandeliers and the galleries for women.