Staff
Read about how the Eldridge Street Synagogue contributed to immigrant acclimation to American society through the lens of a fictitious museum exhibition as imagined by Museum at Eldridge Street intern Jennifer Hernandez. As someone who lives in a community of immigrants, I was compelled to … Read more
Beginning this evening, Jews around the world will celebrate Shavuot, a holiday which centers around the Torah. From the Star of David to Sabbath candlesticks to a beautiful Passover Seder plate, Jewish tradition is marked by a variety of symbolic and ritual items. Many such pieces of Judaica and Shavuot artifacts … Read more
Although I’m quite familiar with the history of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, I’ve always been curious about another address just up the block–22 Eldridge. To satisfy my curiosity, I researched the lot. I learned that in the mid-19th century it once held a county jail! … Read more
Sharon Lotman Stein is the first person you meet when you enter the Museum at Eldridge Street. She runs the front desk Monday through Wednesday. When I sat down with her, she told me her personal Purim holiday story. “My Chicago mother, Lynn Lotman, … Read more
In preparation for our upcoming installation Lost Synagogues of Europe: Eastern European Jewish Postcards I researched the current status and histories of the synagogues featured in František Bányai’s collection. Many of these breathtaking buildings were lost in the course of just two days during Kristallnacht, literally … Read more