Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy

Name: Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy
Address: 383 Grand Street/2001, New York, NY, 10002, US
Telephone: (212) 374-4100
Price range: $
Rating: 5

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Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy

We offer customized private tours and innovative public tours of the Jewish Lower East Side, and other historically Jewish neighborhoods in NYC.
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The Conservancy has many cultural institutions as partners on the Lower East Side. Our collaborations extend beyond the boundaries of the Lower East Side. They include the Center for Jewish History on 16th Street; the New York Landmarks Conservancy; 1199 Bread and Roses Gallery; Museum of Jewish Heritage; Anti-Defamation League; UJA-Federation of New York; Community Synagogue, and many other renow

ned organizations. Our varied tours reflect these many partnerships, and we offer tours covering a wide array of significant Jewish New York sites.

11/03/2024

🖥️ Dive into NYC Jewish History with historian David Kaufman in this 3-part Zoom series!

Explore the story of the greatest Jewish urban center in the Diaspora—from early Americanization, to waves of immigration, to a century of remarkable cultural impact.

🕰️ Part I: Colonial & Revolutionary periods
🕰️ Part II: New York as a Jewish melting pot
🕰️ Part III: A century of Jewish achievement—and a look at the future!

📚 Led by Brooklyn native Dr. David Kaufman, PhD in American Jewish History, author, and professor, this series brings to life the Jewish legacy of NYC.

🗓 November 4 - Join us from anywhere in the world!

⏰ 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

10/23/2024

Step into the shadowy world of the Jewish underworld! 🌆💼 Explore the Lower East Side, where infamous gangsters like Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky, and Bugsy Siegel launched their criminal empires. From New York to Las Vegas, their stories of power, morality, and assimilation began right here. Use your imagination as we visit key sites tied to their notorious pasts. 🕵️‍♂️💣

🗓 October 24, 2024

⏰ 1:00 - 3:30pm

09/25/2024

🏙️✨ Take a stroll down Fifth Avenue from the Plaza to the Met and uncover the Jewish influence on the neighborhood! 🏛️ Explore historic mansions and landmarks like The Harmonie Club, Temple Emanu-El, and the homes of the Guggenheims, Adlers, and more—even Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous residence. 🏰🌳

Join urban historian Bradley Shaw as he reveals the fascinating stories behind these iconic sites. 🗽📚

🗓 29 September
⏰ 1:00 - 3:30pm

09/18/2024

🔎💼 Step into the world of Jewish gangsters like Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky, and Bugsy Siegel, whose criminal empires stretched from NYC’s Lower East Side to Atlantic City, Miami, and Las Vegas. 🌆💣 Explore the spots where their nefarious activities began, and dive into big questions of morality, power, and assimilation. 🕵️‍♂️💭

Join urban historian Bradley Shaw as he takes you on this thrilling tour of NYC’s Jewish underworld. 🗽📚

🗓 22 September

⏰ 1:00 - 3:30pm

09/16/2024

🚶‍♂️✨ Explore the rich history of Williamsburg, Brooklyn—home to one of the largest Haredi Jewish communities in the world! 🕍👒 Walk the streets with urban historian Bradley Shaw, visiting historic synagogues like Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom, the oldest Orthodox congregation in Brooklyn, and Beth Elohim, now a Chasidic Yeshiva. You’ll also explore Lee Avenue’s bustling shops and dive into the blend of Chasidic and Hipster Williamsburg. 🎩🛍️

Join Bradley, a licensed NYC tour guide with a deep passion for the neighborhood’s history! 🗽📚

🗓 17 April - Join us on Zoom from anywhere in the world!

⏰ 7:00 - 9:00pm EDT

09/12/2024

🧵✨ Discover NYC’s iconic Garment District—the 1920s hub built by Jewish developers and architects that shaped the American fashion industry! 👗🏙️ Known as the ‘rag trade,’ this 24-block area became the heart of US fashion and a key moment in urban planning. 🏙️✂️

Join historian David E. Kaufman, Brooklyn native and expert in American Jewish history, as he leads us through this fascinating story. 🗽📚

🗓 15 September

⏰ 10:00 - 12:00pm

09/03/2024

Around 100 years ago, the Lower East Side was filled with synagogues on nearly every street, from small prayer rooms in tenements 🏠 to grand buildings designed by famous architects 🏛️. Urban historian Bradley Shaw, a native of the area with a deep love for its history 🗽, will guide you through this rich past.

Walking tour - RSVP now on our website.
📅 Wednesday, September 4th
⏰ 1:00 - 3:30 pm

Tours

08/28/2024

Unlock the hidden gems of Williamsburg, where history and tradition meet in the heart of Brooklyn! 🗝️✨ Hang out with urban historian Bradley Shaw as he takes you through one of the world’s biggest Charedi Jewish communities. Explore historic synagogues, stroll down lively Lee Avenue, and dive into the vibrant Chasidic culture that makes this place so special. With Bradley’s deep NYC roots, you’ll get the inside scoop on Chasidic Williamsburg—plus a splash of its cool, hipster side.

Walking Tour
📅 Sunday, September 1st
⏰ 1:00 - 3:30 pm

05/07/2024

📢 Make sure to check out all our MAY Public tours:

🔸 07 May - Zoom Tour - The Architecture of Louis Khan

🔸21 May - Walking Food Tour - Knishes and Candy on the Lower East Side.

🔸27 May - Walking Tour - Jewish Socialists, Communists and Anarchists on the Lower East Side.

Sign-Up to all the tours now: 🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lower-east-side-jewish-conservancy-14348674524

04/02/2024

📢 Make sure to check out all our APRIL Public tours:

🔸 7 APRIL - Zoom Tour - Secrets of the New York City Subways

🔸10 APRIL - Zoom Tour - The Politzer Saga: A Book Talk

🔸14 APRIL - Walking Tour - Jewish Gangsters on The Lower East Side

🔸 16 APRIL - Walking Tour - Classic Lower East Side Tour in YIDDISH!

🔸 17 APRIL - Zoom Tour - Art of the New York City Subways

Sign-Up to all the tours now: 🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lower-east-side-jewish-conservancy-14348674524

04/02/2024

Make sure to check out all our APRIL Public tours:

🔸 7 APRIL - Zoom Tour - Secrets of the New York City Subways

🔸10 APRIL - Zoom Tour - The Politzer Saga: A Book Talk

🔸14 APRIL - Walking Tour - Jewish Gangsters on The Lower East Side

🔸 16 APRIL - Walking Tour - Classic Lower East Side Tour in YIDDISH!

🔸 17 APRIL - Zoom Tour - Art of the New York City Subways

Sign-Up to all the tours now: 🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lower-east-side-jewish-conservancy-14348674524

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancyis an educational and cultural organization representing many Lower East Side synagogues, schools, and cultural institutions. The Conservancy was created with two initial goals: to support, enhance and activate the Lower East Side’s community of living synagog...

03/31/2024

📢TODAY!! Join Ruben Shimonov on an exploration of Bukharian Jewish culture 🌟. Discover how this vibrant community has thrived amidst changing empires, from Iran to Russia 🏰. Ruben, an educator and community leader, shares archival documents, music, and personal stories, guiding us through Central Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S. 🌍 As National Director of the American Sephardi Federation’s Sephardi House initiative and founder of the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, Ruben is a passionate advocate for Jewish diversity and intercultural understanding. His work as a visual artist and interfaith bridge-builder has been recognized internationally, making him an emerging leader in the Jewish community 🎨.

🗓 Sunday, 31 March - Rain or shine, we’re ready to explore!

⏰ 1:30 PM - 3:00 pm

03/26/2024

Explore the rich history of Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side with Randy Settenbrino, renowned artist, architect, and developer. Discover life in the historic Blue Moon tenement 🏢, transformed into a National Geographic recognized destination hotel. Indulge in a kosher culinary experience at Sweet Dreams Cafe 🍽️, featuring handmade delicacies like mozzarella, ravioli, and gnocchi.

Then, venture to Kehila Kedosha Janina 🕍, the sole Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, and delve into its fascinating heritage dating back to Alexander the Great. Randy, a Brooklyn College graduate 🎓, is the visionary behind the Blue Moon, hailed by National Geographic and other esteemed publications. Don’t miss this immersive journey through time!

🗓 Sunday, 31 March - Rain or shine, we’re ready to explore!

⏰ 11:00 AM - 1:30pm

🕰️🍝🔍

03/25/2024

Join author and tour guide, Oscar Israelowitz, for an enthralling one-hour Zoom journey! Explore:
- 🌎 Spanish California and the impact of the Spanish Inquisition.
- 💰 Gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill in 1848.
- 🕍 Historic wooden synagogues in Stockton, San Leandro, and San Diego.
- 😱 Drama as a posse disrupts Yom Kippur Services in San Diego.
- 🔥 The devastating 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire that razed Temple Emanu-El.
- 🛠 Notable contributions of Adolph Sutro, German-Jewish engineer.
- ⚰️ The mystery of Wyatt Earp’s burial in the Hills of Eternity Jewish Cemetery in Colma.
- 🎨 Jewish Los Angeles history depicted in the Fairfax Community Mural.
- 🌟 Meet Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin and Hollywood’s Jewish movie moguls.
- 🎬 The groundbreaking “talking” motion picture, “The Jazz Singer.”
- 🎥 Explore LA’s Breed Street Shul and its cinematic ties.
- ⛪ Temple Sinai in Los Angeles, designed by architect Sidney Eisenshtadt.
- 🚀 The House of the Book in Simi Valley’s cameo in “Star Trek VI – The Undiscovered Country.” Don’t miss this fascinating odyssey!

🗓 Wednesday, 27 March - Rain or shine, we’re ready to explore!

⏰ 8:00 - 9:30pm

03/18/2024

Don’t miss out on any 2024 tour! You can see all the Public Tours following this link 🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lower-east-side-jewish-conservancy-14348674524

11/14/2023

🕰️ Flashback to the roaring 1920s in the Lower East Side! Back then, synagogues were like Starbucks - one on every corner to keep the Orthodox Jewish community buzzing. Today, most have vanished in this ever-changing hood.

These relics from the past might not host services anymore, but their vibes and tales are still present through the neighborhood. Imagine, the streets that once hosted over a million and a half (mostly poor but super spirited) Jewish immigrants still hold the echoes of their stories.

Hear tales of congregations and life in the once most densely populated place on earth. Bradley Shaw, your urban historian guide, born and bred in the LES, shares fun facts and anecdotes from over 60 years of love for the neighborhood.

🎟️ Don't miss this whirlwind journey through history! Link in our bio or contact us for more info.
🗓 Sunday, November 19th - Rain or shine, we're ready to explore!
⏰ 1:00 -3:30 pm
🎧 To ensure you catch every detail, use our smartphone app with your earphones

11/09/2023

Discover the Vibrant Jewish Heritage of Upper West Side!

Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of Jewish culture with our immersive guided tour! Nestled between Central Park and Riverside Park, the Upper West Side is a treasure trove of history, art, and tradition waiting to be explored.

🕍 Explore Rich Heritage: explore iconic sites like Congregation Rodeph Sholom, The JCC of Manhattan, and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, immersing yourself in the legacy of American Jews.

🏛️ Architectural Marvels: Marvel at the stunning architectural wonders, from Beaux Arts elegance to the intricate designs of Art Nouveau and the timeless allure of Art Deco.

🔍 In-Depth Insights: Delve into the story of all these sites and how these communities has contributed to shaping the identity of American Jews, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's cultural fabric.

🗓 Sunday, November 12th - Rain or shine, we're ready to explore!

⏰ 1-4pm

🎧 To ensure you catch every detail, use our smartphone app with your earphones

10/12/2023

The LESJC's Steadfast Support for Israel💙🇮🇱

This past weekend, beginning on Simchat Torah, the Jewish people experienced the worst pogrom since the Holocaust. The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy whole-heartedly stands with Israel in the wake of Hamas’ barbaric onslaught that has killed over 1,300 Israelis and left thousands wounded.

As the casualty count ticks tragically higher and the recovery efforts are still underway, new antisemitic atrocities continue to be uncovered. Hamas continues to both hold civilians hostage and commit new attacks, while simultaneously calling for a ceasefire. This situation is intolerable.

As an organization dedicated to exploring and maintaining the vibrancy of Jewish history in New York City, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, we take special pride in the Lower East Sides’ connections to the Jewish State, such as P.S. 134, the Henrietta Szold School, named for the founder of Hadassah, and the beautiful Bialystoker Synagogue, whose murals feature scenes from Jerusalem, the Tomb of Rachel, port of Tel Aviv, and the clear skies of Israel.

As our families and friends in Israel take their place on the front lines or strive to live in the line of fire, we must not fail to keep them in our prayers, contribute to their safety and speedy success in battle, and have their backs here at home, where we face as never before people publicly cheering the killing of Jewish babies and grandmothers.

America has been the best home away from home for Jews in history, but such virulent antisemitism if not checked will be catastrophic for the Jewish community and our country.

The Conservancy wishes to relate its steadfast support for Israel and the IDF. We grieve along with the families who have lost loved ones and we are praying for the safe return of all hostages held by Hamas.

Address

383 Grand Street/2001
New York, NY
10002

Telephone

(212) 374-4100

Website

http://www.nycjewishtours.org/

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Videos

TONIGHT! July 13 at 7pm! Tickets: https://www.nycjewishtours.org/event-log/bialystoker-evening-july-13-22 Don't miss this tour of the magnificent Bialystoker Synagogue! Covered in colorful murals and Tiffany inspired stained glass windows, and believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad! Join us for an evening tour of the magnificent Bialystoker Synagogue, which was built in 1826 as a Methodist Church. In 2016, Bialystoker was awarded 1 of 10 of America's Most Beautiful, Inspiring, and Unique Synagogues by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Find out why there's a lobster on the ceiling! Hear a presentation of Lower East Side history and learn about the largest active congregation on the Lower East Side today. Marvel at this synagogue, resplendent in colorful murals showcasing Tiffany inspired stained glass windows. See its ceiling covered with rare, hand-painted and treasured mazaales - representations of the signs of the #zodiac. This is one of the few surviving examples left of what once were countless Eastern European synagogues boasting these depictions. Those synagogues (and their mazaales) were destroyed by Nazi forces. The Conservancy is the only touring organization with access to this site! .

Pleased to announce we are a 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner!! Tripadvisor is the world's largest travel website. It allows people the opportunity to read reviews and find the lowest prices. It is accessed to find hidden gems, the best Places to eat, easy price comparisons, fun things to do, candid traveler photos, amazing experiences, cheap flights, tours, attractions and more. Every year, Tripadvisor celebrates attractions that consistently deliver amazing experiences with a Travelers' Choice Award—something that only 10% of the companies listed on their site achieve. Well, we are proud to say that we have now gotten this award for the 6th year in a row thanks to our consistent wonderful reviews!!! Many thanks to all of you who have helped us achieve this honor by taking the time to rate us, and for those of you that have not yet been on one of our wonderful tours, we hope that this year will be the year that you will be able to join us and see what all the fuss is about! Leave us a review here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60763-d559111-Reviews-The_Lower_East_Side_Jewish_Conservancy-New_York_City_New_York.html

July 13 at 7pm! Tickets: https://www.nycjewishtours.org/event-log/bialystoker-evening-july-13-22 Don't miss this tour of the magnificent Bialystoker Synagogue! Covered in colorful murals and Tiffany inspired stained glass windows, and believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad! Join us for an evening tour of the magnificent Bialystoker Synagogue, which was built in 1826 as a Methodist Church. In 2016, Bialystoker was awarded 1 of 10 of America's Most Beautiful, Inspiring, and Unique Synagogues by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Find out why there's a lobster on the ceiling! Hear a presentation of Lower East Side history and learn about the largest active congregation on the Lower East Side today. Marvel at this synagogue, resplendent in colorful murals showcasing Tiffany inspired stained glass windows. See its ceiling covered with rare, hand-painted and treasured mazaales - representations of the signs of the #zodiac. This is one of the few surviving examples left of what once were countless Eastern European synagogues boasting these depictions. Those synagogues (and their mazaales) were destroyed by Nazi forces. The Conservancy is the only touring organization with access to this site! . . #lesjc #jewishhistory #jewishculture #lowereastside #thelowereastside #tenement #tenements #jewishtours #nyctour #jewishheritage #synagogues #synagogue #nyctourism #yiddish #historicnyc #preservation #preservehistory #historicpreservation #citytour #muralart #kosher

Learn about the Jewish movers & shakers of the Upper East Side! Link for tickets: https://www.nycjewishtours.org/event-log/how-the-other-half-lives-zoom

April 21st - A Virtual Book Talk on history of Penn Station!

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Our Story

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to the historic preservation of the Lower East Side’s sacred sites. The Conservancy has formed relationships with the leaders of all of these sacred sites. It is these professional relationships that open doors for our visitors. They can experience the spectacular sacred sites of the Lower East Side from the inside out! A portion of the proceeds of each tour is returned to the sacred sites visited on that tour, contributing to their restoration and conservation.

The Conservancy has many local partners in the cultural institutions of the Lower East Side, but our collaborations extend beyond the boundaries of the Lower East Side. They include the Center for Jewish History on 16th Street; the New York Landmarks Conservancy; 1199 Bread and Roses Gallery; Museum of Jewish Heritage; Anti-Defamation League; UJA-Federation of New York; Community Synagogue, and many other renowned organizations. Our varied tours reflect these many partnerships, and we offer tours covering a wide array of significant Jewish New York sites.