Our historian-trained educators lead students on an interactive tour of the 19th-century landmark Synagogue that explores a variety of themes and topics, including:

What do buildings tell us about a community's values and history? Learn how to uncover a building's story through its design and discover the glorious architecture of our landmark synagogue. Students will examine paint patterns, stained glass windows, and Victorian lighting and will learn and use basic architectural vocabulary to explore the processes of restoration.

What are the core traditions of the Jewish religion? The synagogue is central to the transmission of Judaism. Explore the Eldridge Street Synagogue, learn about ritual objects, and discover Jewish holidays, traditions, and practices. Special programs focusing on the Sabbath, Hanukah, and Passover explore the richness of these rituals through food, games, and dramatic play.

What traditions do immigrants bring to America ? How do they learn about their new country and also adapt traditions brought from their home? This exploration of the Eldridge Street Synagogue uses the particular story of its congregation and its immigrant founders to highlight the challenges and opportunities that all immigrants face when bringing traditions to a new place. Story-telling, role-playing, and interactive discussions bring the building's story to life.

What are the clues a neighborhood holds to its past? Students will explore our gateway neighborhood and learn how to "read" landmarks as they discover the social, cultural and educational history of the area. Sites include: Seward Park , Jarmulowsky's Bank, the Jewish Daily Forward Building, the Educational Alliance, PS 42, and the Seward Park Library.

We encourage teachers to contact us about multi-visit programs, including a combination of tour programs, neighborhood documentation through photography, and also the creation of art and photography to be used in special exhibitions. Our education staff welcomes the opportunity to plan special programs that enhance your curriculum.

Programs include a visit to our Limud (Learning) Center, which features exhibits on Lower East Side history and synagogue design, enabling students to create a Yiddish newspaper, design a–stained-glass window, and explore our restoration process.

School tours are customized to support classroom curricula.