Description
Book SynopsisThe classic book on the Lower East Side’s synagogues and their congregations, past and present—now back in print in a completely revised and expanded edition
Trade Review"This book bears vital testimony to the central place of religion in immigrant social ties, to the architectural legacy constituted by grand and modest synagogue structures, and to the presence of the past in perhaps the most fascinating corner of a fascinating city." -- -Jonathan Boyarin author of Mornings at the Stanton Street Shul "Gerard R. Wolfe, joined by the photographers Jo Renee Fine and Norman Borden, has completely overhauled "The Synagogues of New York's Lower East Side" (Empire State Editions, $29.95), originally published in 1978. This volume, which is illustrated with black and white photographs and has a foreword by The Times's Joseph Berger, uses historic houses of worship as a prism to explore immigrant life and culture." -- -Sam Roberts The New York Times "Readers interested in Judaism, architecture, history or New York City will all find something to learn from and enjoy in Wolfe's book." -Greater Phoenix Jewish News "This book stands as a loving tribute to Jewish life on the Lower East Side. It is filled with Wolfe's erudite narrative and beautiful archival and contemporary photographs of synagogues, Jewish life, and the restoration projects." -Jewish Book Council "[The] love for a history all American Jews share-four out of five of descendants of the eastern European immigrants of the late 1800s and early 1900s trace their beginning to the Lower East Side-is palpable in this valuable and important book." -- -Joseph Berger from the Foreword "Wolfe, an architectural historian, unpeels layers of the past behind the congregations and their building...[An] excellent new edition ... " -The Jewish Week
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction The Intervening Years The Discovery The Active Synagogues: Street Map of the Active Synagogues 1. Congregation Khal Adas Jeshurun with Anshe Lubz / The Eldridge Street Synagogue / The Museum at Eldridge Street 2. The Bialystoker Synagogue 3. Congregation Chasam Sopher 4. Congregation Bnai Jacob Anshe Brzezan ("The Stanton Street Shul") 5. Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum 6. Congregation Anshe Slonim / Originally Ansche Chesed/ Now: Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts. 7. Beth Tomche Torah V'Zikne Yisroel / Formerly: House of Sages; Now: Home of the Sages of Israel 8. East Side Torah Center 9. Erste Lutowisker Chevra 10. Downtown Talmud Torah Synagogue 11. The Community Synagogue 12. Congregation Tifereth Israel / Town and Village Synagogue 13. The Bialystoker Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing ("The Bialystoker Home") The East Side Mikvah Building The Shtieblach and Beyond The "Lost" or Endangered Synagogues Landsmanshaftn and Banks The "Lost" or Endangered Synagogues A. Beth Hamedrash Hagodol B. First Roumanian-American Congregation, Shaarey Hashomayim C. Young Israel Synagogue of Manhattan D. Congregation Beth Haknesseth Mogen Avraham E. Sons of Israel Kalwarie ("The Pike Street Shul") F. Erste Warshawer Congregation G. Congregation Beth Haknesseth Etz Chaim Anshe Wolozin H. Congregation Senier and Wilno I. Congregation Kochob Jacob Anshe Kamenetz Lite J. Congregation Anshe Abatien K. Congregation Anshe Baranove L. Congregation Anshe Czernowitz-Bukoviner M. Congregation Adas Yisroel Anshe Mezeritch N. Congregation Ahawath Jeshurun Shara'a Torah O. Congregation Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Anshe Ungarn P. Congregation Bnai Rappaport Anshe Rembrava Q. Congregation Kehilas Bnai Moshe Yakov Anshe Zavichost veZosmer ("The 8th Street Shul") R. Congregation Poel Zedek Anshe Illiya ("The Forsyth Street Shul) S. Congregation Kol Israel Anshe Poland and Mishkan Israel Suwalki T. Congregation Tifereth Yerushelaim U. Congregation Chevra Kadisha Ansche Sochesteczewa Appendix A. The Lower East Side Tenement Museum B. The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy C. Chronology of Major Hebrew Congregations, 1854-1875 D. Recommended Readings E. Glossary
