On This Day: 800 Men Debate Race and Vice at Eldridge Street Synagogue
This post is written by Museum intern Dina Posner. After its opening in 1887, Eldridge Street Synagogue quickly became a vital center for Judaism and religious freedom on the Lower East Side. It was the first of its kind in the neighborhood – bigger and more established than most congregations at the time – and […]
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Jews in New York – before it was even called New York
This post was written by Dina Posner, an intern at the Museum at Eldridge Street. Dina is a candidate for a Masters degree in Historic Preservation at Pratt Institute. Our Museum’s building represents a major Jewish “first” – built in 1887, the Eldridge Street Synagogue was the first great house of worship built in America […]
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Teacher Spotlight: Arlene Grosdorf’s Enduring Love for Eldridge
Growing up my dream was to become a teacher. When I look back there are several teachers who had such a profound impact on my life; They encouraged me to pursue my passions and, simply put, knew how to make learning both fun and meaningful. Fast forward 20 years later and I am Manager of […]
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After the Final Curtain: A Tale of Two Theatres on the Lower East Side
This post was written by Dina Posner, an intern at the Museum at Eldridge Street. Dina is a candidate for a Masters degree in Historic Preservation at Pratt Institute. In the upcoming family program History Hunters: A Kid’s Life at Work, kids go back in time to discover what life and work was like 100 years ago […]
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The hamentashen worth getting on a plane for
This blog was originally posted in March 2017 by Museum intern Rachel Hoffman. With Purim coming up again, we thought we’d repost this short and sweet family story from our former Visitor Services Associate Sharon Stein. Enjoy! Sharon Lotman Stein is the first person you meet when you enter the Museum at Eldridge Street. She […]
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Chocolate and Seltzer and Milk, OH MY!
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 don’t know about you, but I have been waiting for an excuse to celebrate the perfect egg cream. So what is even IN the perfect egg cream? Let […]
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From Bagels to Bodegas: The Language of New York
“That dog fah-schtinks! Fah-schtinkinah dog!” “There’s no way that’s a real word, Mom.” “It is! It’s Yiddish! Call Gramma and ask!” February 21st is International Mother Language Day. According to the United Nations’ website, International Mother Language Day seeks “to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism… and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance […]
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Women Take the Lead at Eldridge Street
In celebration of an upcoming anniversary at Eldridge, we’re reposting this blog post, originally written in February 2017 by Taylor Baker. On this day, we remember the formation of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. Formed February 16, 1919, the all-female committee arose during a time of flux within the synagogue itself, and […]
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Why does the wall look like THAT?
Gothamist has a great new series called WHY?, where they ask some burning questions about the people, places, and things of our city. Last week’s WHY? asked a question about Grand Central Terminal but the exact same question could have been asked in the sanctuary at the Museum at Eldridge Street – why is there […]
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Lighting the Way of the Diaspora – A Conversation with Eldridge’s Exhibition Curator
This post was written by museum intern Parker Vaughn. On Thursday, December 6th, the museum is opening a brand new exhibit entitled Lighting the World – one that explores the diversity of menorahs from all around the world. This exhibit truly offers a window into the past and allows museum visitors a glimpse into the global Jewish […]
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