Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue, New York City
Facade of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a National Historic Landmark built in 1887. Photo © Eldridge Street Synagogue.
Interior. Photo © Eldridge Street Synagogue.
Original brass chandelier. Photo © Eldridge Street Synagogue.
Interior view looking towards the entrance side, showing the women's gallery. Photo © Eldridge Street Synagogue.
The Ark, where the Torah is stored. Photo © Eldridge Street Synagogue.
Interior view from gallery in 2004, before restoration was completed.
Photo
Matthew Kuhnert.
Centering around the Eldridge Street Synagogue, an Orthodox synagogue dating from 1887, the Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue tells the story of Eastern European Jewish immigrants to New York's Lower East Side. The synagogue still functions as a place of worship for the local Orthodox community on the Sabbath and holidays, while serving as a museum the rest of the week.
History
When the Orthodox congregation known as Kahal Adath Jeshurun constructed the Eldridge Street Synagogue in 1887, it was the first great house of worship built by Eastern European Jews in the United States.
After falling into disrepair for some time, the synagogue began to be restored in 1986. After 20 years of restoration work, during which it was known as the Eldridge Street Project, the museum opened to the public in 2007.
What to See
The Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue presents the culture, history and traditions of Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side drawing parallels with the diverse cultural communities that have settled in America. The Museum offers guided tours of the restored synagogue (a National Historic Landmark), exhibits and cultural programs, including concerts, neighborhood walking tours and film screenings.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue |
| Location: | New York City, New York, USA |
| Categories: | Synagogues; Museums |
| Faith: | Judaism |
| Denomination: | Orthodox |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1887 |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 40.714746° N, 73.993491° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | 12 Eldridge Street. New York, NY 10002 |
| Phone: | 212/219-0888 |
| Website: | www.eldridgestreet.org |
| E-mail: | contact@eldridgestreet.org |
| Hours: | Sun-Thu 10 am 5 pm. Closed Fri, Sat and major Jewish holidays. |
| Cost: | $10 adults, $8 students/seniors, children 5-18 $6, families $15. Free Monday morning admission, 10 am 12 pm. |
| Public transport: | Subway: F to East Broadway; B, D to Grand Street; J/M/Z or N/Q/R/W or No. 6 to Canal Street. |
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Location Map
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Article Sources
Article contributed by Museum at Eldridge Street Synagogue with reference to the following sources:
- Eldridge Street Synagogue - official website
More Information
- Annie Polland, Landmark of the Spirit: The Eldridge Street Synagogue.
Article last updated: 07/22/2009.
