The Museum at Eldridge Street is a museum located within the Eldridge Street Synagogue that tells the story of its congregation and contemporary Jewish culture and practice.[1] While historically part of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Chinatown has expanded east and the museum is considered to be part of both neighborhoods.[2] The museum, which was designed by Walter Sedovic and Jill H. Gotthelf, opened in December 2007 following the synagogue's twenty-year renovation, during which time it was known as the Eldridge Street Project.[3][4] The capstone of the renovation was the installation of Kiki Smith and Deborah Gans' stained glass window to replace a plain one that congregation had installed to protect the sanctuary when funds were limited.[5] The museum later played host to an exhibit dedicated to Smith's work.[6]
In addition to telling the history of the synagogue's congregation, restoration,[7] and the neighborhood's history,[8][2] the museum also tells the story of other neighboring organizations, such as The Forward, and the broader Jewish community.[9][10] The museum's "Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas" Festival, held annually in June, celebrates the neighborhood's diversity.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ Gross, Rachel B. (2021-01-12). Beyond the Synagogue: Jewish Nostalgia as Religious Practice. NYU Press. ISBN 978-1-4798-0340-8.
- ^ a b Dunlap, David W. (2014-06-11). "In Chinatown, Remembering the Origins of a 126-Year-Old Synagogue". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "The Oldest Eastern European Synagogue in the U.S." Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ Rothstein, Edward (2007-12-01). "Return of a Long-Dormant Island of Grace". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "Video: A New East Window on Eldridge Street". 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ Meier, Allison (2018-06-05). "Kiki Smith Takes Over the Eldridge Street Synagogue with 50 Artworks". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "NYC's Museum at Eldridge Street Celebrates Restoration of the Eldridge Street Synagogue in a New Exhibition". Untapped New York. 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ Robbins, Liz (2020-03-10). "New York City Museums Teach the History of Immigration". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ Ziri, Danielle (2017-07-30). "New York exhibit revives Europe's lost synagogues". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ Sheidlower, Noah (2020-02-03). "Step Back in NYC History at the Exhibition, Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward". Untapped New York. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ Litvak, Ed (2018-06-12). "Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas Festival is Happening Sunday". The Lo-Down. Retrieved 2021-12-03.