Today, many Jews who grapple with incorporating liturgical worship (also called davening) into their lives have turned instead to wordless, mindful meditation. With this practice, one can choose to reflect on God, on their place in the universe, or on something else entirely. These Jews, many in their early 20s or 30s, often grew up in Jewish communities where the cultural, social, and historical aspects of Judaism dominated over a spiritual or religious belief in God. Many of these young Jews have rekindled their spiritual connection to Jewish practice through meditation, which gives them more freedom and independence to form their own spiritual identity. We will explore this technique at Eldridge Street on July 23rd at our “Sabbath of the Mind” night of guided meditation and music, where meditation beginners and experts alike can experience a night of contemplative practice.
Events
A Window to the Soul: Architect Deborah Gans Discusses her Enduring Contribution to the Museum at Eldridge Street

Upon entering the beautifully restored sanctuary at the Museum at Eldridge Street, visitors are transported back to the height of the synagogue’s glory. Built in 1887 during the rise of Jewish immigration to the Lower East Side and restored in the 1980’s after a period of neglect and disrepair, the building is a perfect reflection of the past, present, and future of this historic neighborhood. Today, the synagogue’s sanctuary is covered from floor to ceiling in painted patterns and sparkling ornamentations, all twinkling in the shafts of light that emanate from the Museum’s newest and most distinctive feature: the exquisite stained-glass window designed by artist Kiki Smith and architect Deborah Gans. While the restoration of the sanctuary remained faithful to historical accounts of the synagogue’s 19th-century interior, the new window is an intentional departure from the past. It represents a bright and colorful future for both the Museum and the neighborhood.
Over 50 Years Later, This Timeless Story Still Delights

At the Museum at Eldridge Street, we tell the stories of the immigrants who settled on the Lower East Side through the lens of our historic building. And on July 8th, we will focus on a particular story that has been beloved by families since it’s conception – the All-of-a-Kind-Family story. Sydney Taylor (born Sarah Brenner) who was born in New York City to immigrant parents, wrote All-of-a-Kind-Family in 1951 as a series of five books. The stories tell the tale of five Jewish sisters growing up on the Lower East Side at the turn of the 20th century. As one of the few novels of its time to chronicle the everyday adventures of a Jewish family, this book is a true Jewish Lower East Side treasure that is still loved by children and adults alike.
Opera Brought New Sights and Sounds to Our Sanctuary
For the past two weeks, I have witnessed the Museum at Eldridge Street transform into an opera stage, but also a home where mothers and daughters squabble and comfort each other, where lovers make plans and love, and where people come together to remember those … Read more
Shedding Literal Light on the Ten Commandments
There’s a question I frequently get when leading a tour of the historic sanctuary, and it focuses on a curious element of the historic ark on the Eastern wall. “What are those light bulbs doing there?” many people ask as they look up at a … Read more