Alexander Raymond Katz

Alexander Raymond Katz (April 21, 1895 – March 24, 1974)[1] was a modernist artist working in painting and illustration.

Katz is known for his versatility and his extensive use of contemporary styles, and his many works depicting themes from Chicago, his longtime home.

Katz's later designs often incorporated interpretive depictions of the Hebrew alphabet, and are seen widely in synagogues across the United States.

After World War I, he toured the Western United States and Canada, staying in Los Angeles for some time and becoming familiar with the growing motion picture business.

Katz was given the use of a fully-funded studio by the local government, enabling him to reconnect with his Jewish heritage and focus more on fine art, influences that continued after his return to Chicago.

Contrasting this melancholy scene of the Depression is a vibrant color scheme to remind the viewers of the beauty still lingering in that difficult period.

In his publications on the topic, he highlighted the lack of codified styles for synagoge architecture,[10] and argued that the use of symbolism in image and overall design was crucial in contemporary synagogues.

[11] As an architect, designer, and artist for synagogues in the mid-20th century, Katz's legacy is represented in part by the still-standing buildings containing his works.

A prominent example of his work is at the Rego Park Jewish Center in Queens, which features a mosaic of his design on the building's façade.