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Museum at Eldridge Street (New York)

Florian Buechting Museums & Exhibitions No Comments

Museum at Eldridge Street

Museum at Eldridge Street
4.7

Rating

 4.7/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Small, but very nice overview on lower floor
  • Impressingly restored former synagogue

There are several signs of Jewish culture in New York City, indeed. One of the most prominent ones is indeed the Museum at Eldridge Street, which I visited in March 2024. The museum is located in the former Eldridge Street Synagogue. Originally opened in 1887, the building was completely run down, but restored and turned into a National Historic Landmark. Here is my review.

 

Museum at Eldridge Street – Location & Admission

The museum is located at the Southern end of Eldridge Street in Chinatown in Manhattan. The closest New York subway stations are East Broadway (line F), Grand Street (B,D) and Delancy St – Essex (F, M, J, Z). If you use the metro buses, you may also use M9 to East Broadway/Pike St or M15 to Pike Street & Division Street.

The Museum at Eldridge Street is opening Sunday to Friday (i.e. Saturday is closed). Times are 10:00 to 17:00. There may be additional closing days, esp. during Jewish holidays. Admission is 15 USD: I used the New York Pass, which grants free admission to the museum.

 

Museum at Eldridge Street – The Visit

The museum splits into two main sections. At the reception level, which also features the shop (see below), there is a general exhibition about Jewish culture and community in New York City. This part also features a lot of information about emigration to the city. You also learn about the history of the place in general. The rear of that exhibition features some original items from the former synagogue, which is nowadays no longer used for religious services. This also implies that you do not need to cover your head in later parts of your visit.

 

Former Synagogue

I would recommend to visit the general exhibition first before heading to the former synagogue. There are steps or elevators to the upper levels. The upper floor features the gallery of it, while the lower level is the main level of it. The restoration of the place has worked out fantastically, especially compared to the pictures you see in the main exhibition. The upper floor also comes with some themed exhibition, which was about Women in the Jewish community during my visit. The gallery is a lovely place to sit down and being impressed by the beauty of the building.

The lower level features the bimah (podium). You also feel the rich light installation better in here. The whole building is put into its original state, including all the benches and almost all windows. Even though I am not a religious person, I really enjoyed strolling through the former place of worship.

 

Menorah Collection

On top of that, the main floor of the former synagogue features a collection of menorahs. The characteristic kind of candelabrum, which are collected from all over the world, are held in glass cabinets on both wings of the main floor. If you want to have a closer look, you have to step into the aisles of the benches. This may be a bit of bothering, but is finally really worth it. If you want to dive deeper into the exhibits or are especially interested into specific ones, there are guidebooks after entering the main synagogue floor of the Museum at Eldridge Street.

 

Museum at Eldridge Street – Services

The reception is selling books, but also postcards, shirts and other items, which are on display at entrance level. The staff was really helpful. There are also guided tours through the Museum at Eldridge Street. This felt to be very worth if you want to have a deep look inside Jewish history in New York or of the building itself.

 

Museum at Eldridge Street  – My View

The Museum at Eldridge Street might not be what is in tourists’ minds initially when they think of Manhattan attractions. However, the place is really insightful and the restored synagogue is absolutely impressing. Thus, putting it on your New York City bucket list is definitely a wise decision. I absolutely enjoyed the visit.

 

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