The Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City is the first synagogue in America and the oldest surviving Ashkenazi synagogue in the United States. It is a nationally significant landmark of Orthodox Judaism — and home to a museum unique for its architecture, history, and interior design.
A Tragic History
The synagogue was founded in 1887 by the Jewish congregation Kahal Adath Jeshurun, which had emigrated to the United States from the Russian Empire.
The building was designed by brothers Peter and Francis Herter — German-born Roman Catholic architects who had previously worked only on residential projects. The synagogue blended architectural styles such as historicism, Neo-Gothic, and Orientalism.
At first, the Eldridge Street Synagogue was extremely popular. During holidays, crowds gathered at the entrance, and city police patrolled the area. Between 1880 and the start of World War I in 1914, about 2,000,000 Ashkenazi Jews immigrated to the United States in search of work and a better life. They came from Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania.
Decline
However, during the Great Depression the number of congregants sharply declined — partly due to the immigration quota introduced in 1924. After World War I, Jewish immigration to the U.S. nearly ceased entirely. The synagogue fell into disrepair. Funding for basic maintenance ran out, and the surrounding neighborhood had transformed into Chinatown.
Unable to pay for heating, the congregants closed the main sanctuary and continued to pray in a small chapel.
Restoration of the Synagogue
The historic landmark was fortunate: the dedicated organization The Eldridge Street Project restored the synagogue in 2007. The restoration required 20 years of work and cost $20 million.
Thanks to artist Kiki Smith, the synagogue now features new stained-glass windows — including a striking blue rose window resembling a starry sky. Sadly, the drawings and plans of the original window did not survive.
Interesting Facts
- Seats in the synagogue were numbered. Anyone who wanted to sit closer to the front could purchase their spot.
- The lower floors are still used for religious services.
- The central sanctuary has been transformed into a museum dedicated to Judaism and the history of Jewish immigration to the U.S.
Visitor Information
Website: www.eldridgestreet.org
Address: 12 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Sunday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM; closed on Saturdays
Admission: Free
