Designing Synagogues with Moshe Lefkowitz

Grand Satmar synagogue in Monroe’s vibrant VeYoel Moshe Gardens

Moshe Aryeh Lefkowitz, CEO of Upscale Designers, shares his passion for designing shuls that merge heritage and sophisticated design.

Chana: Moshe, what kinds of projects do you specialize in?

Moshe: I work on homes and malls, but shuls are really my main focus. A shul isn’t just another building project. It’s about more than making it look nice. When people walk in, they need to feel something mystical, something spiritual. That is what I aim to create.

Inside the Sanz Yeshiva, a space designed for focused study and a truly pleasant learning atmosphere.

Chana: What has been your most major shul project, and what’s the story behind it?

Moshe: That would be the Satmar Shul in Kiryas Yoel. It was commissioned by philanthropist Akiva Hersh Klein, who was developing a new community with a few thousand homes to provide affordable housing. This shul is one of two new ones in the area.

AHK wanted to work on the exterior and interior separately. The exterior took about four months to complete, and once he approved it, we moved on to the interior. It includes a wedding hall, two mikvahs, and more. Klein is very detail-oriented, having built many shuls and shopping centers before. His vision was “very modern but with old charm.”

That’s what I do best.

A modern and clean-lined synagogue “Beis Medrash Yisrael Sholom." Located in Monroe, New York

Chana: How do you ensure your design process runs smoothly?

Moshe: Many people focus first on creating a nice atmosphere, but then builders bring in technical challenges like heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems that disrupt the design. Often designers don’t hear about these until it’s too late.

I take a different approach: I coordinate with the builder from start to finish. This way, there are no surprises, and the design vision remains intact.

Chana: How did you get started in interior design?

Moshe: Since I was seven, I’ve loved design. I used to suggest wall colors and design preferences to my mother. When I was eighteen, a cheder teacher who became an architect reached out to my father and asked if I wanted to work with him. A few years later, I did.

I learned Revit and worked for a year but realized I preferred interiors over architecture. After working at Max, I started Upscale Designers and have been on my own for a year now!

This shul embraces a timeless elegance with a striking stone interior instead of wood.

Chana: What sets your work apart? What’s your niche?

Moshe: When clients want something unique, they come to me. For example, I recently designed a Yemenite shul in Monsey with many authentic Yemenite elements. That cultural richness is what I love. Right now, I’m designing a spa that’s meant to look like a rock. Very unusual and beautiful.

Mikva design, featuring natural rock for a spa-like experience.

Chana: How do customers usually find you?

Moshe: Mostly through friends, word of mouth, and social media.

Chana: What’s your personal wish for 2026 and beyond?

Moshe: I hope more designers follow my approach when designing shuls. Not just the typical looks.

I want to bring back the charm of old European shuls, updated with modern materials and style. Lose the yellow paint and old floors, but keep the richness. That’s a winner.

Chana: Is there something you wish clients better understood about design?

Moshe: Yes. People often don’t realize how much work goes into each project. Sometimes they say, “Just do this and that,” and I tell them it’ll take hours because I need to render it and coordinate all the details.

Design is like a wedding cake. People see the beautiful decoration but don’t realize there’s tasty chocolate inside. With interiors, it’s the tiny details - how stairs relate to ceilings, how lighting works with walls - that really elevates the space.

People should know that there is much more to what they see is there!

A magnificent study with warm and cozy tones.

Want to bring traditional and modern design to your shul? Reach out to Upscale Designers @upscaledesignersny or contact Moshe Aryeh Lefkowitz 347.845.5152 to start.