Museum at Eldridge Street

Even recently arrived Chinese immigrants need to keep up with March Madness! This image is from a 1977 China Daily News article announcing that Marquette had won that year's tournament. There are 95 ethnic and foreign-language newspapers in New York City that deliver information like this every day. They're a lifeline for the combined 2.9 million readers, giving important updates of the old country alongside news about readers' new one. And these newspapers are not new! The... Forward began publishing in Yiddish in 1897, giving Jewish immigrants insight into Jewish life around the globe as well as advice and news about life in America. Not far away, Chinese Americans were printing similar newspapers in their own language. Both the Forward and Museum of Chinese in America have these historic newspapers in their archives - join us May 20th at 6PM to dive in! We'll look at examples of these historic newspapers and explore how these two communities, in such close proximity, used the paper to stay informed and build community. Get your tickets! https://www.eldridgestreet.org//activism-athletics-advice/

At first glance, it might not seem like this Urban Archive photo story about the Great Migration and a predominantly Black neighborhood in Albany has much in common with us. But the last two photos in the story tell a familiar story! The congregation purchased their first church building in 1933. Twenty-four years later, they were able to purchase a bigger building - a former synagogue nearby. And four years later, they had paid off the mortgage. To celebrate, the congregatio...nal leaders held a ceremony and burned the mortgage papers. The congregation at Eldridge Street did the exact same thing! The jar of burned papers is on display in our permanent exhibition. And the story of jumping from building to building, and praying in sacred spaces once used by other religions, was so common to the Lower East Side in the late-19th century. Many Jewish congregations in New York purchased church buildings that had been abandoned when Christian congregations moved away. The location and the community may be different, but we know that history repeats itself. Every migrant culture, whether it be Jewish or Black or Chinese, makes a home for themselves using whatever resources are available to them. They adapt buildings that were once used for other purposes, and in doing so they leave their own mark on history. We love learning about these similar stories in other places!

"Click-click-click. The sound of mahjong tiles connects American expatriates in Shanghai, Jazz Age white Americans, urban Chinese Americans in the 1930s, incarcerated Japanese Americans in wartime, Jewish American suburban mothers, and Air Force officers' wives in the postwar era." On Tuesday, May 11th, Zoom with Annelise Heinz as she discusses the globe-trotting, timeless pastime of mahjong! These tiny tiles have captivated people from very different places and times - what makes it so very special? Join us next Tuesday to find out!

Yiddish dance - Chinese folk music - Puerto Rican bomba y plena These three distinct musical traditions come from different corners of the earth and developed in vastly different ways. And yet - they all come together in New York City and are enjoyed by the diverse cultures of our neighborhood. No matter the culture or tradition, music is a essential and life-giving part of our communities. Learn more about the musicians we're spotlighting during *Music Week*: https://www.eldridgestreet.org//music-of-immigrant-new-yo/

Just how important is music to Juan J. Gutierrez Rodriguez and his community? You'll have no doubt after this video! Hear more from Juan and the entire Los Pleneros de la 21 band at our program on Sunday at 4pm! Plus Yiddish dancing with Steve Weintraub and traditional Chinese folk music from Mencius Society for the Arts’s EastRiver Ensemble. Free tickets: https://www.eldridgestreet.org//egg-rolls-egg-creams-and-/.

Today's Look Closely is a real feast for old storefront and typography lovers! What can we learn about life 100 years ago from examining this old-time, downtown photo? What kind of shop do you think this is? Who are they catering to? Do some browsing inside this scene - this head to eldridgestreet.org/look-closely to learn all about it.

Do you know the story behind this crystal chandelier? Not even we know the FULL truth! We know this chandelier isn't original to when the building opened in 1887. Our congregational records don't tell us exactly how or when it was acquired, so we have to guess at how it came to hang in the women's balcony. Most likely, it came from the parlor of a wealthier congregant. Perhaps the women wanted a little more light upstairs, or another fancy light fixture, and someone donated the piece from their own home. It's just one more piece of our building that may always remain, at least partially, a history mystery!

May is Lower East Side History Month! These upcoming programs celebrate the diverse histories of community strength and resilience of our neighborhood. Join us! #LEShistorymonth #PeoplesLES Wednesday, May 5 at 5PM Mamas with Chutzpah virtual walking tour - https://www.facebook.com/events/786404648974440... Thursday, May 20 at 6PM Immigrant Newspapers in NYC virtual talk - https://www.facebook.com/events/1931624353681338 Sunday, May 23 at 11AM Secrets of All-of-a-Kind Family virtual walking tour - https://www.facebook.com/events/172366768088636 [Image design by Jaclyn Reyes]

Pre 2010 Post 2010 Which window is your favorite?

Tonight's menorah is a rather regal one! Made of pewter in early-20th century England, this style is more often seen in Poland or Italy. (The second photo is an example of a similar menorah from Poland.) Although its symbolism is typically Jewish, the effect of the central menorah flanked by the Lions of Judah is reminiscent of English heraldry. So let’s keep the English theme going as we reflect on tonight’s guiding light. As our friends across the Atlantic begin to administer the Covid-19 vaccine, let’s wish for early success that will lead the world back to health and prosperity.

We're bringing some big color into your third night! This painted tin menorah was made in Mexico in the 1970s or 80s. It’s possible it was made for tourists, but there is a Jewish population in Mexico - between 40 and 50,000 people today. The large bunches of grapes signify the Promised Land. As the story goes, Moses sent 12 men to Canaan to scout out land for a home for his people. They came back with a bunch of grapes so large it took two men to carry! What are we wishing for tonight? To remember that the U.S. was built on the notion of everyone’s right to pursue freedom, liberty, and a home - and that the rights of immigrants and those seeking justice today must be protected.

Happy day 2! Today we’re lighting this sweet glazed ceramic menorah hailing from Persia (today’s Iran). This lamp was made sometime in the early 1900s and its decorative motifs are very emblematic of the region. The palm trees symbolize the Holy Land, while peacocks are very typical Persian iconography. This menorah, like so many in our exhibition collection, is a reminder and a symbol of the Jewish culture that exists in every corner of the globe. We are all connected on this planet; this year’s coronavirus crisis has been a painful reminder of that. Tonight we’re hoping that our interconnectedness might serve as a guiding light toward solidarity and peace across the globe.

Happy Hanukkah! Tonight, many Jewish families around the globe are all doing the same thing - lighting the first candle on their Hanukkah menorah. And every night of the holiday, we’ll be joining them! We've chosen eight menorahs from our exhibition Lighting the World: Menorahs Around the Globe. Each lamp tells a fascinating story about Jewish life around the planet & through the ages. And who doesn't like to see the flickering lights of a menorah? To kick things off, we chos...e this simple brass menorah, hailing from early-20th century United States. It’s a modest item, but likely very similar to what many early Eldridge Street congregants would have used during their first years in America. This year, we're pairing each glowing menorah with some metaphorical light - a hope, a wish, or perhaps a ‘guiding light’ for the year ahead. So tonight, we’re honoring the simple things that keep us grounded. And we’re remembering the importance of family and close relations - even when we can’t be together in person.

Menorahs have always been the subject of artistry and customization. For centuries, creators have fashioned their menorahs to include local iconography or site-specific materials. But a new generation of designers is taking aesthetics to a new level, in the hopes of forging deeper relationships with Judaica. Read all about the menorah as a work of art - today on the blog. https://www.eldridgestreet.org/blog/menorahs-go-millennial/ [Pictured: a modular menorah designed by B. Zippy in collaboration with Judaica Standard Time.]

Such fun! Thanks Eyal Vilner Big Band for giving us all a little slice of the excitement that live music brings.

it's time to take some guesses as to what's happening in this historic Lower East Side scene! Use context clues about the photograph and what you know about life in New York 100 years ago. What might be happening here? When you've made some guesses, head to eldridgestreet.org/look-closely and check your work! You just might learn something.

Have you seen ThinkChinatown's awesome lineup of events for this year's Chinatown Arts Week? Not only are there some great virtual experiences (hosted by Chinatowns around the country!) but a few outdoor events will give you the chance to safely enjoy arts & community in real life! Check out our post below for some of our favorite highlights in the schedule - and then head over to the website to get all the info.

It's time for another Tour Tuesday! So sit back, close your eyes and imagine you're sitting in the benches of Eldridge Street's historic sanctuary. Your docent directs your attention to the elaborate ark on the Eastern wall. It's an imposing piece of walnut, stretching high toward the ceiling and beautifully carved. And at the top of this ark is a circular space lined in - light bulbs? They're not covered with decorative shades like in the rest of the sanctuary - the bulbs th...emselves appear to be the main event. And that's because when they were installed shortly after the turn of the 20th century, electricity really was the main event. Eldridge Street's congregation was very proud that they were early adopters of electricity. It would be over a decade before most congregants enjoyed electric light in their own homes. So these bulbs were a huge draw. And a way for the congregation of new immigrants to announce that, too, could have nice things. They weren't the only ones who showed off their electricity in this way. Many public spaces installed similar displays to herald the arrival of bright light. If you've seen pictures of the elaborate City Hall station (or been lucky enough to take one of the private tours!), then you'll recognize the look.

"I think about resiliency. This building has seen many things, including the last pandemic that we had. It's seen war, it's seen the Great Depression, it's seen 9/11 and hurricanes. And yet it's still standing here." The Museum at Eldridge Street preserves a much-needed sense of permanence in this hectic world. Educator Rachel Serkin spoke with the folks at @fabnyc for their #OpenArtsLES project. Check out the site to see Rachel's full video interview and a LOT more great talks with arts & culture leaders in the Lower East Side! https://vimeo.com/showcase/7554766?page=3

This week's Look Closely should probably come with a PSA! Take a look at this historic photo - have any guesses about what's happening here? What's piled high on the table that this little boy is working on? Why is the whole family gathered around? By examining historic photos like this one, we can learn some pretty interesting things about what life was like 100 years ago. So put your amateur historian glasses and give this one some thought! When you think you know what's happening, head to www.eldridgestreet.org/look-closely to find out more.

Rising prominently above the cityscape of Florence, Italy is the Tempio Maggiore - the Great Synagogue. From the outside, this building doesn't seem to have much kinship with our own landmark on the Lower East Side. But as you'll read in our latest Sister Shuls blog post, these two buildings share more than meets the eye. Take a virtual trip to Florence and see what we mean in today's post! https://www.eldridgestreet.org//sister-shuls-tempio-maggi/

Tomorrow at 6pm! Author Uwe Westphal shares his scholarship on the once-booming Jewish fashion scene in Berlin. He'll be talking live with Fashion Institute of Technology historian Keren Ben-Horin and journalist Jennifer Altmann, whose grandfather actually ran one of Berlin’s fashion houses!

Primary sources like historic photographs are one the best ways that we can see, really SEE with our own eyes, the way life was 100 years ago. By looking at photos, we can transport ourselves back in time and learn all sorts of things about life way back when. That's just what we do every Thursday with Look Closely! So - let's have a look at this historic photo. What's happening here? What clues can you use to make some guesses about where these girls are and why? Once you've got a working theory, head to eldridgestreet.org/look-closely to get the full story.

Did you know that Berlin's fashion scene once rivaled Paris? And in Berlin, nearly all the designers and fashion moguls were Jewish. Their designs reflected the daring, modern woman, who was involved in the social and cultural life of the city in a way that was entirely new for women of the time. It was an exciting time in Berlin - and Jewish creatives were at the center of it. But just a decade after its heyday, the fashion industry had been completely dismantled by the Nazi regime. Read more about this shocking history in today's blog post. And dive deeper on Tuesday, as we team up with Museum at FIT to present a live discussion and Q&A. It's free and you can register at a link in the blog.

Our Young Historians @ Home newsletters are back for a new school year! Each month, we'll send you a fun historical tidbit paired with "Discover & Do" activities that will have kids diving into the context and contemporary parallels to these old-time stories. For instance - did you know that the first day of school at P.S. 24 in 1905 was pretty disastrous? The day started with 800 kids inside the building, and 1,500 waiting outside in a rainstorm! There wasn't enough room fo...r every eligible student, and the school hadn't been prepared. What did they do? And how might that compare to your students' experience of school in 2020? You can answer all those questions with your own Young Historian when you read this week's newsletter. See the latest issue (and subscribe so that you get the next one!) here: https://us16.campaign-archive.com/home/.

Just a reminder that even when we're closed, the sun is still streaming into our sanctuary through the vibrant stained glass windows

Would you get a load of these pumpkins! Today we're kicking off October with a very seasonally appropriate Look Closely. But put on those thinking caps because we think this one is deceptively tricky. So - what's happening in this Lower East Side photo taken over 110 years ago? What clues from the photo can you use to make a guess about what's happening? And about life a century ago? Make some guesses, construct a theory, and then head to eldridgestreet.org/look-closely to find out what's happening!

Thanks to @essexcrossingNYC for sharing this gorgeous, detailed photo of our facade! While you can't yet go inside our building, this part of our landmark is still accessible to all. We encourage you to enjoy our stunning facade from your own socially distanced spot on the sidewalk!