Author Archive
Spring Cleaning: A Centuries-Old Chore
At this time of year, in the days before Passover begins, many observant Jews are busy cleaning. But it’s not just the usual spring cleaning. Their goal is to clear the home of any trace of chametz, which are leavened foods that may not be eaten during the eight days of Passover. This includes bread, […]
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Sister Shuls: Etz Chaim in Portland Maine
In “Sister Shuls,” we travel virtually to other synagogues whose exuberant architecture has a kinship with our landmark home, the Eldridge Street Synagogue. Today, for the first time in Sister Shuls, we’re travelling within the United States! We’re stopping much closer to home than usual, as we touch down in Portland, Maine at the Etz […]
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Sister Shuls: Gran Templo Paso in Buenos Aires
In “Sister Shuls,” we travel virtually to other synagogues whose exuberant architecture has a kinship with our landmark home, the Eldridge Street Synagogue. After spinning our digital globe once again, we find ourselves in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Unlike some of the other places we’ve visited in this series, Argentina is still […]
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Sister Shuls: Tempio Maggiore, Florence
In “Sister Shuls,” we travel virtually to other synagogues whose exuberant architecture has a kinship with our landmark home, the Eldridge Street Synagogue. Our virtual travels around the globe bring us this time to Italy and the spectacular Tempio Maggiore, the Great Synagogue of Florence. At first glance this massive building seems to have little […]
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Sister Shuls: Dohány Street Synagogue in Budapest
In “Sister Shuls,” we travel virtually to other synagogues whose exuberant architecture has a kinship with our landmark home, the Eldridge Street Synagogue. After visiting the Jerusalem Street Synagogue in Prague for our first “Sister Shuls” journey, a bit more cyber travel landed me in Budapest, Hungary at the Dohány Street Synagogue. That destination was […]
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Sister Shuls: Jerusalem Synagogue, Prague
Lately, just like everyone else, we’ve been spending a whole lot of time on the internet. Virtual tourism is the only safe kind of tourism right now. And although it pales in comparison to a real-life vacation, internet touring does offer the ability to get halfway around the globe in a few clicks. So we’re […]
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A 200-Year-Old Wimpel is a Mother’s Legacy of Love
With Mother’s Day approaching, I find myself thinking about a mother I’ve never met. I don’t even know her name, but her handiwork tells me that her son David was born on the 19th day of Cheshvan in the year 5563. In other words, November 15th, 1803. Eight days after his bris (religious circumcision), David’s mother […]
Continue ReadingUrban Treasure Hunting — New York’s Hidden Gems
Our visitors often tell us that the Museum at Eldridge Street is one of New York’s Hidden Gems. They are often surprised to find a majestic old synagogue tucked away on a narrow Chinatown street. New York is a city filled with hidden gems. We have compiled a list of fun and affordable things to […]
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