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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The Egg Cream: an iconic drink with staying power
In honor of National Egg Cream Day on March 15, we’re reposting this blog from 2019, with some edits and new information about an upcoming egg cream program! Dear Reader, Please let me be the first to wish you a happy National Egg Cream Day! The holiday is coming up on March 15th and I […]
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Hamantaschen’s New York Times debut
This blog post originally ran in March 2020. We’re reposting today, with some edits. Enjoy! Not everyone dresses up for Purim or even knows the Purim story. But one culinary tradition seems to have transcended all other elements of the early springtime holiday. Even if you’re not Jewish, there’s a chance you know one thing […]
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Sister Shuls: Spanish Synagogue in Prague, Czech Republic
Over the past several months, we’ve traveled virtually to every continent except Antarctica visiting synagogues that have some sort of kinship with Eldridge Street. Today we’ll return to Prague, this time to the Spanish Synagogue. It’s time for Sister Shuls: Horror Vacui edition! Horror vacui is a Latin term meaning for “fear of empty space” […]
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A Very Local V-Day Gift Guide
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! And this year I think we can all get behind any reason to bring love and joy into our lives. Whether you celebrate with a romantic partner or your best pals (that’d be Palentine’s Day), a surprise gift can elicit warm & fuzzy feelings. So we’re sharing this […]
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Early Jewish Life, on the Hudson
This blog post is written by Museum intern Kathryn Norris. Jewish-American origin stories often start with the waves of immigration to the U.S. in the 18th, and especially in the 19th, centuries. But Jewish life in America existed long before this. In fact, the earliest known Jewish story (in what would eventually become the United […]
Continue ReadingSister Shuls: Ashkenazi Synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey
In “Sister Shuls,” we travel virtually to other synagogues whose exuberant architecture has a kinship with our landmark home, the Eldridge Street Synagogue. As we cyber-travel around the world finding “Sister Shuls” for Eldridge Street, sometimes the kinship is subtle. Other times, it screams out. Today we land in Istanbul at the Ashkenazi Synagogue. From […]
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A secular, socialist, Yiddish newspaper walks into a synagogue….
This interview originally ran on the blog one year ago this week. But it’s such a great conversation that we’re running it (with some minor edits) again! The Pressed exhibition is still on display at the museum and we hope you’ll come see it once we’ve reopened to the public. The Museum’s exhibition Pressed: Images […]
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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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Menorahs Go Millennial
Menorahs are customizable. They’re not quite as unique as snowflakes (we’ve all seen our share of the classic minimal brass menorah), but there is a huge variety in their size, form and function. Since antiquity, menorah makers have been adjusting or embellishing the basic nine-candle form. Sometimes the design expresses the region where it was […]
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