Touring the Eldridge Street Synagogue

Last night, we were lucky enough to partner with the Museum at Eldridge Street for an after-hours art and architecture tour (featuring delicious knishes from Yonah Shimmel!). 

We examined everything from lampshades to stained glass windows and the original wood floors in the beautifully-restored building, hearing about its history from 1887 to the present. The main sanctuary fell into disuse throught the mid-20th century as the congregation shrunk; in the 1990's a major restoration began, and the synagogue reopened in 2007 as the Museum at Eldridge Street. 

I can't say enough wonderful things about the synagogue - it's really a gem and such a special place that we're lucky to have in NYC. Be sure to visit them for a tour or check out an upcoming program, especially if you've never been!

A few photo highlights of the night are below. 

  

      The main sanctuary

Learning about the history of the building and congregation from Amy Stein Milford

A super gorgeous lampshade, original to the building

Wood painted to resemble marble

The resored ceiling, grand chandelier, and a new stained glass window by Kiki Smith

 

Do those hands look a little familiar? Leonard Nimoy based the Vulcan Salute on Jewish priestly blessing.

This tobacco compartment is built directly into the reading platform