Ways We Worship

Jewish Ritual and Practice

What does Jewish worship look like? The objects featured here explore Jewish culture and ritual as practiced by generations of Jews, many of them recent immigrants, who worshipped at the Eldridge Street Synagogue since its founding in 1887. The Museum’s collection holds objects used during services at Eldridge Street as well as at neighboring synagogues that no longer exist.

Follow the links below to look at these objects of religious practice: elements of the synagogue itself that are significant during services; the Torah, which is central to Jewish belief; and ornaments that are used to embellish and glorify the Torah.