One of the oldest surviving synagogues in the United States.

The Eldridge Street Synagogue is one of the oldest surviving synagogues in the United States erected by Eastern European immigrants, in New York’s Lower East Side. Eldridge Street was an important community institution from the day it’s doors opened in 1887, through the 1920s. At the turn of the century, the Lower East Side was home to 60,000 Italian and Eastern European Jews. Thousands of people flocked to Eldridge Street Synagogue to participate in the religious services and on the High Holidays – so many that police were required to control the crowds. During this period, the Synagogue also functioned as a haven new Americans. The poor came to be fed, secure loans, inquire about employment and housing opportunities, and to make arrangements to care for the sick and dying. It functioned as a self-sustaining community to those in need.

The Synagogue was designed by architects Peter and Francis William Herter, who subsequently received many commissions and reviews in the local press. The Synagogue was impressive with its Moorish Revivalist architecture with sweeping arches, marble columns, 68 magnificent stained-glass rose windows, 70-foot high vaulted, faux-painted and stenciled ceiling which was hand painted with gilded stars, sweeping brass and vintage glass chandeliers and hand-stenciled walls. Inside, the Ark (Aron Kodesh), the scrolls of the torah are housed. The Ark is beautifully hand-carved in walnut, lined in red velvet (which is original from 1897) and is imposingly situated on the East wall, which faces Jerusalem as is customary. The reader’s platform (bima), is in the center of the sanctuary, following the older European tradition, to ensure that the entire congregation can hear the reading of the Torah. It also refers to the location of the sacrificial altar in the Temple at Jerusalem. There are also many restored murals and exquisite stained glass windows to further enhance the beauty of this Synagogue.

The Eldridge Street Synagogue was a cornerstone for Jewish immigrants of New York’s Lower East Side for fifty years. Then membership began to decrease as congregants moved away, the Immigration Department began limiting new immigrants, and the Great Depression struck. Thus, the breathtaking main sanctuary was needed less, due to the lack of a full congregation from the 1930s through the 1950s. Eventually, due to disrepair and lack of funds, rain leaked into the main sanctuary, the inner stairs became unsound and the sanctuary became “off limits” due to being unsafe.

Due to lack of funds to repair and heat the main sanctuary, the congregants chose to worship downstairs, in the Beth Midrash. They continued to worship there for twenty-five years, from approximately 1955 to 1980. In 1986 the Eldridge Street Project was founded to restore the synagogue and to develop educational and cultural programs. Twenty years of restoration work costing $20 million was completed in 2007, at which time the main sanctuary was re-opened to the public. The sanctuary is being returned to its Victorian splendor, whilst maintaining the charm of the original design. Great care has been taken to preserve the murals where possible and re-create the balance of the murals where needed. There is much that is intact; by enlarge, the experts are cleaning and conserving rather than needing to re-create them. In regard to the light fixtures, the restoration experts are not polishing the light fixtures “as shiny as a penny,” but are allowing the patina of age to shine through. Authenticity is what the skilled craftsment are aiming for with the restoration, which is certainly being achieved. Salvaged timber is being used to replace wood where necessary. Finials have been completely reconstructed with great care.

Eldridge Street Museum reflects its cultural and educational mission, which is to present the history, traditions and culture of the great wave of Jewish immigrants that took place at the turn of the century that came through Eldridge Street Museum and it’s place in that period of history. Informative tours relating to American Jewish history, the history of the Lower East Side and Immigration are also available. The Project welcomes approximately 15,000 to 20,000 visits yearly. Congregation Kahal Adath Jehurun meets for Orthodox evening services downstairs and daytime services are held in the main sanctuary.

The Eldridge Street Synagogue was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996.