Events List Navigation
October 2018
Joseph: From Spoiled Brat to Savior
The story of Joseph is the longest and most sophisticated in the Book of Genesis. By reading it closely and examining Joseph’s interactions with others, we can come to understand him more fully. With teacher Regina Stein, you will do that in ten sessions. You will also explore the range of interpretations of the Joseph story by rabbis, as well as by Christians and Muslims. Dr. Regina Stein is the Morris Kaplan Scholar-in-Residence at the Museum at Eldridge Street. She…
Jews and Muslims: Beyond the Early Years
The vast majority of the world Jewry lived under Muslim rule from the 8th to 12th centuries. In this ten session class, you will explore the religious and cultural connections between Jews and Muslims of that period. The relationship changed Judaism forever – giving rise to new forms of Jewish practice, new elements of Jewish literature, and revolutionary ways of considering age-old philosophical and theological questions. Attend the full course or drop in on individual dates. Dr. Regina Stein is…
November 2018
Releasing Words: The Cut Paper Art of Deborah Ugoretz Opening Reception
Celebrate the opening of the Museum’s newest exhibition, featuring intricate cut-paper art by Deborah Ugoretz. Ugoretz was already a working artist when she saw traditional Jewish paper cutting work for the first time. She was dazzled by this centuries-old tradition and its creative possibilities for “visualizing Judaism,” and its ability to transform a simple piece of paper into a work of art that could release words into pictorial space. This exhibition will present a retrospective of the artist’s work in cut paper,…
In Their Own Words: The Eldridge Street Minute Books
Please note, the dates for this class have changed. Sessions will take place on the following days: Mondays – November 19, November 26, December 3, December 10 In 1850, a small congregation of immigrants organized Bet Hamedresh, an intimate congregation worshipping below Canal Street. By 1887, this congregation, renamed Kahal Adas Jeshurun built what was commonly referred to as the Eldridge Street Shul. Along the way, the congregation meticulously documented its evolution in minute books. Handwritten in Yiddish, these fascinating…
December 2018
Latkepalooza!
Hanukkah may not officially begin until the evening, but we’re getting our celebration started early! Join us for this popular and super-fun festival for families. All three floors of the museum will be buzzing with fun, as the holiday’s miraculous spirit comes to life with art, music, stories and lots of latkes! Presented in partnership with the Workmen’s Circle.
Exhibition Opening for Lighting the World: Menorahs Around the Globe
Just in time for Hanukkah, we’re thrilled to present the remarkable Aharon Ben Zalman Collection of menorahs, spanning the globe and more than five centuries. Though Jewish communities in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas all celebrate Hanukkah, their style of holiday lamps reflect their own unique cultures. Within Eldridge Street’s vibrant historic sanctuary, menorahs from 17th-century Italy and 19th-century North Africa will be displayed alongside those from Colonial America and modernday Israel, India, Brazil, Poland, the Netherlands, and more.…
Accordion Festival: Sounds of the Lower East Side
In the 19th century, the accordion became a popular instrument not only in Eastern Europe, but throughout the continent. And as migrants made the trip overseas to America, many brought their accordions along with them. As a result, the instrument played a prominent role in the musical life of the Lower East Side. In those days, the sounds of the accordion evoked the old country. But today, musicians from around the globe are breathing new life and traditions into this…
Klez For Kids!
When Christmas quiets the streets of New York, come to Eldridge for a joyous communal celebration! Clarinetist Greg Wall’s band Klezmerfest! will have the whole family singing, dancing and dabbling in Yiddish at this annual favorite. The band’s award-winning Klez For Kidz program melds old-country sounds with contemporary Lower East Side energy, and it will have kids dancing in the aisles of our magnificent sanctuary. Concerts will start at 12pm and 2pm. After the concerts, visitors are welcome to stay…
January 2019
Tavche Gravche
The members of Tavche Gravche are virtuosos who use their diverse musical and cultural backgrounds to create a sound all their own. They merge haunting Macedonian and Mediterranean melodies with the explosive, danceable rhythms so common in Balkan music. And their expert musical abilities allow for their performances to go to fun and improvisational places. Enjoy this rare evening concert and reception as they push musical boundaries in the Museum’s historic sanctuary. Macedonian-born and Juilliard graduate Vasko Dukovski is a clarinetist and concert…
Dig Your Roots
Join us – off location – at the Center for Jewish History’s Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute. The CJH team is opening the doors to its research library after hours just for us! It’s a rare opportunity to have some of the world’s most experienced family history researchers and genealogists introduce you to the best ways to trace your roots. Add the Center for Jewish History’s world-renowned partner collections, containing a wealth of historical records and newspapers from Jewish…
