Eldridge Street Synagogue Facts for Kids

The Eldridge Street Synagogue is a historic synagogue located at 12 Eldridge Street in Chinatown, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. Built in 1887, this special building is one of the very first synagogues in the United States built by Jewish people from Eastern Europe.

Today, the synagogue is also home to the Museum at Eldridge Street. This museum teaches visitors about American Jewish history and the story of immigrants who came to New York City. Even with the museum, a small group of people still use the synagogue for religious services, just as it has been used since it first opened.

Quick facts for kids Eldridge Street Synagogue
Eldridge Street Synagogue façade in 2006
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Status	Active
Location
Location	12 Eldridge Street, Chinatown, Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York 10002
Country	United States
Location in Lower Manhattan
Architecture
Architect(s)	Peter Herter Francis William Herter
Architectural type	Moorish Revival
Completed	1887

Museum at Eldridge Street
Museum interior in 2018
Established	2 December 2007 (2007-12-02)
Type	Jewish museum
Collections	American Jewish history

History of the Synagogue
Gallery
See also

History of the Synagogue

Building a New Home (1887)

The Eldridge Street Synagogue was one of the first synagogues built in the United States by Ashkenazi Jews, who were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. It opened its doors in 1887. The building was designed by two brothers, Peter and Francis William Herter. They were architects who designed many buildings in the Lower East Side of New York City.

When the synagogue was finished, people were amazed by its beauty. It was built in a style called Moorish Revival, which uses designs inspired by buildings in North Africa and the Middle East. The synagogue had a huge dome that was 70 feet high and beautiful stained-glass windows. Its walls were decorated with hand-painted patterns.

A Busy Community Center

In its busiest years, from its opening until about 1920, as many as 800 families were members of the synagogue. The main worship area could seat 1,000 people! During important holidays like the High Holy Days, police officers had to help manage the large crowds outside.

The synagogue was more than just a place to pray. It was a very important center for new immigrants. It helped people get used to their new lives in America. Before other help centers were common, the synagogue offered food, loans, and information about jobs and housing. It also helped care for people who were sick or dying. It was like a community support group for everyone.

A Time of Change

For about 50 years, the synagogue was very active. But then, things started to change. Many members moved to other parts of the city. Also, new laws limited how many immigrants could come to the country. The Great Depression in the 1930s also made things hard for many families.

Because of these changes, fewer people attended the synagogue. The beautiful main worship area was used less and less from the 1930s onward. By the 1950s, the building needed a lot of repairs, like fixing leaks and unsafe stairs. The community could not afford to heat or maintain the large main area. So, they decided to hold their services in a smaller, cozier room downstairs called the beth midrash (a study hall). The main worship area remained empty for about 25 years, from around 1955 to 1980.

Bringing the Synagogue Back to Life

In 1986, a group called the Eldridge Street Project was started. Their goal was to restore the synagogue and bring it back to life with educational and cultural programs. It was a huge project that took 20 years and cost $20 million!

On December 2, 2007, the restoration was finished. The building officially reopened to the public as the Museum at Eldridge Street. The museum offers interesting tours that tell the story of American Jewish history, the Lower East Side, and immigration.

The restoration team worked very carefully to make the synagogue look like it did in the 1800s. They fixed the plaster, cleaned the old paint, and repaired the beautiful decorations. They even recreated some of the original hand-painted designs on the walls.

Even with the museum, a small group of people from the original congregation still holds Orthodox religious services at the synagogue. They have almost never missed a Shabbat (Sabbath) or holiday service since the synagogue first opened its doors!

In 1996, the synagogue was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States.