Shoftim (שופטים – Judges) Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 and Isaiah 51:12 – 52:12.
The Torah deals with the establishment of a fair judicial system, prohibits idolatry, and sets out the laws of war. It also highlights the conditions for the creation of cities of refuge (19:1-13) to protect involuntary manslayers.
Deuteronomy 19:2
שָׁלוֹשׁ עָרִים, תַּבְדִּיל לָךְ: בְּתוֹךְ אַרְצְךָ–אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, נֹתֵן לְךָ לְרִשְׁתָּהּ.
You shall set aside three cities for yourself in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.
The United Brethren Synagogue of Hebron1
Around 1880, to escape persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, a dozen Ashkenazi Jewish families formed a small community in Hebron, Connecticut. In 1940, Izzy Turshen2 designed a building on land donated by Benjamin Kassman. The synagogue3, completed in September 1941, is in the Neo-Georgian style and incorporates Art Deco elements while remaining an example of rural architecture. Frescoes of scenes from Israel are painted on the walls.
1 In Joshua 20:7, the city of Hebron is specifically designated as one of the cities of refuge.
2 Also known as Ira Turshen, an American Jewish artist born in Russia.
3 Visit the United Brethren Synagogue on the site: Synagogues 360.